ULTRASTRUCTURE OF ENDOMETRIAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS IN A 3-DIMENSIONAL CELL-CULTURE SYSTEM FOR HUMAN IMPLANTATION STUDIES

Purpose: A three-dimensional cell culture system imitating normal uter ine endometrium has previously been established. To what degree do cul tured epithelial cells retain their morphological characteristics as c ompared to in vivo material obtained simultaneously ft om the same tis sue donor. Results: We found a high degree of similarity between the i n vivo and in vitro situations. The present culture system furthermore imitates the day-to-day morphology of the cycle. Conclusions: This in dicates, that a correct timing of the biopsy tissue is important for f uture human implantation studies.