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Mast cells in the tubal wall in women using an intrauterine contraceptive device
Author(s) -
SANDVEI ROAR,
WOLLEN ANNELONE,
FLOOD PER R.,
ANKER CARSTEN
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1986.tb08064.x
Subject(s) - lamina propria , muscularis mucosae , mast (botany) , medicine , mast cell , anatomy , pathology , epithelium , immunology
Summary. The number of mast cells in the tubal wall of 33 healthy non‐pregnant women, 17 of whom had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD), was investigated. Light microscopy showed that both the muscularis externa and the lamina propria of the tubal wall contained more mast cells in the 17 IUCD users than in the 16 non‐users (control group). In both patient groups the mast cell concentration was higher in the muscularis externa than in the lamina propria. Most mast cells of the muscularis externa were more closely related to smooth muscle cells than to blood vessels. The increased number of mast cells in IUCD users may be a factor in the pathogenesis of pelvic inflammatory disease and the ectopic pregnancies that occur in IUCD users.