| Abstrakt: |
The tissue localization of immunoglobulins G, A, and M, secretory “piece” (SP), and lactoferrin (LF) in tissue comprising the human female reproductive tract, including nine uterine tubes, forty endometrial, three cervical, and three vaginal specimens, was investigated by means of the direct fluorescent antibody technique. γG was the predominant immunoglobulin in all the tissues studied and was localized primarily in the interstitial connective tissue as diffuse noncellular staining. γG fluorescence was also observed along the basement membrane beneath the epithelium, in lymphoid cells, and in the luminal contents of many endometrial and cervical glands. The intensity of γA staining was less in most specimens; however, the tissue localization of γA was the same as γG. γM staining was very light in most tissues. Only minimal intercellular γA staining was observed between the cells of the mucous membrane of the uterine tube and the glandular epithelium of the endometrium. SP staining was localized inside the epithelial cells lining the villi of the uterine tube, glandular epithelium of the endometrium, and cervix, but not in the squamous epithelium of the vagina. The luminal contents of many endometrial and cervical glands stained brilliantly with SP antiserum. Lactoferrin was localized in the glandular epithelium of the endometrial specimens and in the luminal contents of endometrial glands, particularly during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Similar staining was observed in the cervical glands. Lactoferrin was also localized in leukocytes that were dispersed in the interstitium of nearly all the tissue specimens examined. |
