HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Foley, R. C. Articles by Leathem, J. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Foley, R. C. Articles by Leathem, J. H.

Histochemical Observations of the Bovine Uterus, Placenta, and Corpus Luteum during early Pregnancy¹

University of Massachusetts and Rutgers University

Abstract

Alkaline phosphatase as determined by the Gomori (1939) method was present in substantial amounts in the endometrium, chorion, and corpus luteum during the early months of pregnancy in the bovine. The enzyme was present in the endothelium of the uterine blood vessels, in the uterine glands and their secretions and just below the surface of the endometrium in both the cotyledons and in the intercotyledonary area. All samples of chorionic tissue were positive for alkaline phosphatase, the principal site of the enzyme being in the larger cells and especially the binucleate cells of the trophoblast and the fetal villi. The corpora lutea of pregnancy were positive for alkaline phosphatase with a medium reaction of the nuclei and cytoplasm of the lutein cells and an intense staining of the endothelium of the blood vessels. The reaction of the cells lining the maternal crypts to the test for alkaline phosphatase was identical with that of many cells in the fetal villi.

Neutral fats could not be demonstrated in the endometrium of heifers pregnant 25 to 35 days. All sections of chorion, however, gave a positive reaction especially at the base of the trophoblastic cells. Corpora lutea provided inconclusive results for neutral fats.

All sections of maternal endometrium, both cotyledons and the intercotyledonary area, gave a positive reaction to the Schultz (1924) test for cholesterol as well as all samples of chorion which were tested.

¹ This paper is part of a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Graduate Faculty of Rutgers University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Dairy Husbandry.

² Animal Husbandry Department, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

³ Paper of the Journal Series, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey, Department of Dairy Industry, New Brunswick.

⁴ Department of Zoology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick.