THE INVOLVEMENT OF MACROPHAGES IN THE UTERINE INVOLUTION

Document Type : Research article

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Abstract

A study was done to demonstrate the role played by macrophages in the process of uterine involution in female rats. Sixty five pregnant female rats were the materials of this investigation. After parturition by 12 and 24 hours the rats were intraperitonially injected with trypan blue to demonstrate the macrophages. Histolo gical sections were taken at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 days after parturition. At the first day post-partum, the macrophages were found in groups in C.T. and between the muscle bundles. At the 3rd day, they increase in number and size up to the 9th day where they were observed in abundance specially in the myometrium and at the site of the ligamontum latum. In addition their fat droplets which appeared small in size in the early post-partum period became bigger by time up to the 9th day where they occupied the main cytoplasm leading the nucleus to be shifted aside. It could be concluded that the macrophages played a great role in the process of involution of the uterus. Moreover, the main regression occured in the region of the ligamentum latum due to the presence of B.Vs. and abundant number of macrophages.