OBSERVATIONS OF THE CELLULAR-CHANGES IN CULTURED MOUSE METRIAL GLAND EXPLANTS AND OF THE MAINTENANCE OF GRANULATED METRIAL GLAND-CELLS IN-VITRO

Mouse metrial gland explants were cultured for periods of up to 7 days . Granulated metrial gland cells migrated from the explants onto the c ulture dish substratum with a peak in numbers of emigrant cells usuall y found after 1-3 days of culture. Histological examination of the cul tured explants showed that the central core of the explants rapidly de generated although a viable superficial layer of tissue remained throu ghout the culture period. It is suggested that the degenerative change s and the emigration of many granulated metrial gland cells from the e xplants was a result of the large size of the explants used and conseq uential nutrient deprivation. Granulated metrial gland cells were foun d in the viable superficial layer of the explants and on their surface throughout the culture period, including day 7 of culture when few gr anulated metrial gland cells remained on the culture dish substratum. The retention of some granulated metrial gland cells on the surface of the explants when few remained on the culture dish substratum suggest s that contact with stromal cells is important for the maintenance of granulated metrial gland cells.