Morphometric investigations of plasmocytes and detection of immunoglobulins in the female rat genital tract during the oestrous cycle

The aim of this work was to determine the numerical density of plasma cells and detect the presence of immunoglobulins in all segments of genital organs during the oestrous cycle, from which one might assess the immunological reaction of virgin female rat genital organs. Wistar stock rats were killed at different stages of the oestrous cycle. Tissue clippings of organs were stained with methyl-green-pyronine according to Brachet for light microscopy and with FITC conjugated goat anti-rat-immunoglobulins for direct immunofluorescence according to Santa-Marie. Plasma cell populations were determined with the stereological method of numerical density according to Abercrombie. The obtained values for numerical density of plasma cells in the oviduct, uterus and vagina showed highly significant variations during the oestrous cycle (p<0.001). Plasma cells were most numerous in the oviduct in oestrus, and in the uterus and vagina in postoestrus. Immunoglobulins were present in the oviduct, uterus and vagina. The localization and intensity of positive fluorescent reactions varied during the cycle. In the oviduct, fluorescence was maximal in oestrus in the epithelium, lamina propria and subserosa. In the uterus, it was maximal in postoestrus in the epithelium, glandular epithelium and lamina propria. In the vagina, if was most pronounced in oestrus in the epithelium and lamina propria. The high significance of variations in the observed plasma cell population and different distribution of immunoglobulins indicate immunological variation in virgin female rat genital organs during the oestrous cycle.