Gross and histological characterization of endometrial tissues from SLA miniature pigs with cystic endometrial hyperplasia

Acta Anat (Basel). 1987;130(2):137-42. doi: 10.1159/000146436.

Abstract

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) is a uterine disorder characterized by the formation of large numbers of cysts in the endometrium. The purpose of this study was to examine and characterize cell types in the endometrium associated with the cysts and uterine glands. No apparent histological differences between CEH-involved and normal uterine columnar epithelium were found. Endometrial glands in CEH-involved and normal uteri were lined with simple or ciliated columnar epithelial cells and surrounded by lamellar connective tissue. The cyst epithelium appeared to be stretched obliquely and compressed so that both the cells and nuclei were horizontally oriented relative to the cyst lumen and were surrounded by lamellar connective tissue. Electron microgaphs revealed an abnormally high number of mitochondria in the cystic cells as compared to normal glandular cells. In conclusion, CEH is characterized by the formation of cysts which develop from the uterine glandular tissue. Epithelial cells lining the glands appeared to be distorted, possibly in response to internal pressure from increased volume due to high metabolic activity, and/or no uterine luminal opening.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cysts / pathology*
  • Endometrial Hyperplasia / pathology*
  • Endometrium / pathology*
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • Female
  • Reference Values
  • Swine
  • Swine, Miniature / anatomy & histology*
  • Uterine Diseases / pathology*