TITLE:
Cyclic Changes of Lymphatic Vessels in Human Endometrium
AUTHORS:
Tatsuo Tomita, Kuni Mah
KEYWORDS:
Basalis; D2-40; Human Endometrium; Funtionalis; Immunocytochemistry; Lymphatic Vessels
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pathology,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
7,
2014
ABSTRACT:
Objective: The
presence of lymphatic vessels in endometrium has been controversial and recent
immunocytochemical studies with routinely paraffin embedded sections revealed
lymphatic vessels in basalis and occasionally in functionalis. We aimed to
investigate endometrial lymphatic vessels by immunocytochemical staining using
cryosections, which provided better and consistent immunostaining for lymphatic
vessels with a lymphatic marker, D2-40. We aimed further to explore the
structure-function relationship of lymphatic vessels in the menstrual cycle. Materials
and Methods: Sixteen cases of endometrium from menstrual, early-proliferative
to latesecretary phase were immunostained for D2-40 and lymphatic vessels were
morphometrically analyzed for functionalis, basalis and myometrium,
respectively. Results: Lymphatic vessels were consistently most numerous in
myometrium, followed by basalis in all phases whereas menstrual endometrium
showed small, fragmented aggregates of
lymphatic vessels in thin basalis. Earlyto mid-secretary endometrium revealed
many lymphatic vessels in basalis and lower-functionalis with few
lymphatic vessels in upper-functionalis. Late-secretary endometrium revealed more
lymphatic vessels in upper-functionalis with dilated walls, which then burst at
the surface of functionalis. Conclusions: These degenerating lymphatic vessels
with markedly dilated lumen in upper-functionalis may contribute to lymphatic leakage
in late-secretary phase. These immunostained lymphatic vessels in functionalis
support proliferating and degenerating lymphatic vessel cycle synchronized with
the menstrual cycle of endometrial arteries to maintain adequate fluid leakage.