Lymphatic and nerve distribution throughout the parametrium.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to concomitantly assess distribution of lymphatic and nerve structures in the parametrium. METHODS: Twenty hemipelvises from ten fresh cadavers were dissected to differentiate between, three different parts of the parametrium: the lateral parametrium, the proximal and the distal part of the posterior parametrium. Histologic and immunofluorescence analyses of nerve and lymphatic structures were performed using NSE and LYVE-1 staining, respectively. The percentage of structures was independently scored as 0 (0%), 1 (1-20%), 2 (20-50%), 3 (50-80%), 4 (>80%). RESULTS: The lateral parametrium and the proximal part of the posterior parametrium contained both nerve (scored 2.25 and 2.50, respectively) and lymphatic (scored 2.50 and 2.00, respectively) structures. The distal part of the posterior parametrium also contained numerous nerve structures (scored 2.00) but lymphatic structures were rare (scored 0.88). No difference in nerve distribution was found according to the parts of parametrium while a significantly lower distribution of lymphatic vessels was observed in the distal part of the posterior parametrium (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The distal part of the posterior parametrium is of high nerve density and low lymphatic density raising the issue as to whether it should be removed during radical hysterectomy.

Expression of VEGF-A, Flt-1, and Flk-1 in the arterial endothelial cells of the uterine broad ligament throughout the estrous cycle.

The aim of the present study was to determine the immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and its two receptors, viz., Flt-1 (fms-like tyrosine kinase) and Flk-1 (fetal liver kinase), on the surface of endothelial cells of the uterine artery and its branches and of the arcuate arteries in the area of the uterine broad ligament during various phases of the estrous cycle in the pig. We also investigated their expression to determine whether this was phase-related. The highest immunoreactivity for VEGF-A was observed in the uterine artery and arcuate arteries at the early luteal phase and in the branches of the uterine artery during the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. The strongest immunostaining intensity of Flt-1 was found in the uterine artery and its branches at the follicular phase and in arcuate arteries at the mid-luteal phase, whereas Flk-1 immunostaining was at its highest in the uterine artery at the mid-luteal phase and in the branches of the uterine artery and arcuate arteries at the follicular phase. Additionally, VEGF-A expression was assessed by semi-quantitative Western blot analysis, which revealed significantly higher levels of VEGF-A protein during the early luteal and the follicular phase of the estrous cycle (P < 0.001). The phase-related differences in the immunoreactivity and expression of VEGF-A and VEGF receptors suggest that these factors are hormone-dependent during the estrous cycle in the pig.

[Bioamine-positive structures in the rat mesometrium and their changes in the estrous cycle].

The objective of this study was to demonstrate main bioamine-positive structures in rat mesometrium, to detect their spatial cooperations and to define their catecholamine, serotonin and histamin content during the sexual cycle. The study was performed in 120 female rats of reproductive age, which were divided into groups according to the stages of sexual cycle: early estrus, late estrus, metestrus, early diestrus, late diestrus, proestrus. By using the microspectrofluorometric histological methods, the following bioamine-positive structures were differentiated in rat mesometrium that were cooperated in space: sympathetic nerve fibers (containing catecholamines and serotonin), mast cells and macrophages (containing catecholamines, serotonin and histamine). Regular dynamics of individual bioamine indices was detected during the sexual cycle. The role of mesometrium in the system of uterine extraorganic bioamine supply is discussed.

Immunohistochemical localisation of ET-1 and eNOS in lymphatic stomata of the porcine broad ligament of the uterus.

Immunohistochemical localization and distribution of endothelin (ET-1) and nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were investigated in lymphatic stomata in areas of their special accumulation in the porcine broad ligament during the estrous cycle. The study was performed using polyclonal antibody for ET-1 and monoclonal antibody for eNOS. ET-1 and eNOS immunoreactivities were demonstrated in some thin endothelial lymphatic lacuna walls throughout the estrous cycle. In the mesothelial cell layer, ET-1 and eNOS were detected only in stomata-related cuboidal mesothelial cells, however, the intensity of the immunostaining and distribution of the positive cells varied during the cycle. These results suggest that ET-1 and eNOS can play a role in mechanisms regulating the tone of lymphatic stomata during the absorption and passage of fluids, particles and cells from the peritoneal cavity to lymphatic vessels in the porcine broad ligament.