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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1985; 85(2): 138-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210429
Original

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Antifertility Estrogens and Progestins on the Endometrial Surface of Early Pregnant Rats A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

M. Koch1 , R. Stracke2 , Th. Peschke2
  • 1Department of Experimental Endocrinology, Central Institute of Microbiology and Experimental Therapy (Director: Prof. Dr. F. Bergter), Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Jena/GDR
  • 2Department of Experimental Pathology, Central Institute of Microbiology and Experimental Therapy (Director: Prof. Dr. F. Bergter), Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Jena/GDR
Further Information

Publication History

1984

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

Two estrogens, mestranol and 3-methoxy-14ß, 15ß-methyleneestra-l,3,5(10)triene-17ß-ol (STS 593), and two progestins, levonorgestrel and 17a-cyanomethyl-17ß-hydroxyestra-4,9(10)-diene-3-one (STS 557), all having antifertility properties in rodents, were examined for their effects on the uterine luminal surface of early pregnant rats. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that there are clear qualitative differences between the effects of estrogens and progestins on both morphology and microvillous pattern of the endometrial surface while STS 557 showed intermediate effects. The results are discussed with respect to the anti-implantation activity of steroids.

Key words

Estrogens - Progestins - Endometrium