HORMONAL-CYCLIC CHANGES IN RATS UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND UNDER STRESS AS REVEALED BY VAGINAL SMEARS AFTER SHORR STAINING

Abstract

ABSTRACT By examining vaginal smears after fixing in ether-ethanol and Shorr staining, the authors have followed the variations in the relative proportions of cells from different layers of the vaginal epithelium, cytolysis, clumping and curling of the edges of the superficial cells, and the occurrence of mucus and leucocytes in the smears during the normal oestrous cycle in 14 rats. All these factors were observed to undergo periodic variations. Vaginal smears were also examined to determine the effect of stress on the hormonal equilibrium of the rat. Disturbances were noted in the oestrous cycles of all rats in the stress group. One to three oestrous cycles occurred in each rat during the first two weeks of the stress period. Even in these, the layer index for superficial cells did not rise to the level during normal oestrus. A persistent dioestrous state was established or only a slight temporary rise in the layer index of the vaginal smear occurred during the last two weeks of the four-week stress period.