STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF NIDATION. XVII. HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DECIDUALIZATION IN THE RAT

Abstract
Histological and histochemical studies on the activities of adenosinetriphosphatase and acid and alkaline phosphatases as well as connective tissue components show that the uterus of the adult rat as a whole responds to the cyclic ovarian activity. There are cyclic variations in the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases and adenosinetriphosphatase. Major changes occur in the connective and epithelial structures in the endometrium while the muscular coats show adaptive alterations. During pseduopregnancy an increase in uterine activity is observed on day 4 of pseudopregnancy (L4); this is related to the surge of estrogen occurring from the ovary on day 3 (L3).