M. Brannstrom et al., LOCALIZATION OF LEUKOCYTE SUBSETS IN THE FOLLICLE WALL AND IN THE CORPUS-LUTEUM THROUGHOUT THE HUMAN MENSTRUAL-CYCLE, Fertility and sterility, 61(3), 1994, pp. 488-495
Objective: To determine the presence and localization of leukocyte sub
sets in the human follicular wall and in the corpus luteum (CL) throug
hout the menstrual cycle. Design: Tissue was obtained by biopsy at lap
aroscopy. Frozen sections were labeled with a panel of monoclonal anti
bodies against leukocyte subtype markers and detected by immunohistoch
emical methods. Setting: Infertility clinic in large teaching hospital
. Patients: Eighteen women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. Women
with abnormal endocrinology, endometriosis, or ovarian disease were e
xcluded. Results: Macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes were prese
nt in high numbers in the collagen-rich tissues, including the thecal
layer, of the follicle wall. At ovulation, there was a marked increase
in the density of these cells in the follicle wall, especially in the
thecal layer. In the CL, there was a higher density of macrophages (2
- to 3-fold) and neutrophils (3- to 5-fold) in the theca lutein area c
ompared with the granulosa lutein area. There were no significant chan
ges in the density of these cell types when early and late luteal phas
e were compared, but the density of macrophages were markedly elevated
in regressing CLs obtained during the subsequent follicular phase. T
lymphocytes were present in low numbers in the follicle wall and in th
e CL, and no variation in the density was detected throughout the mens
trual cycle. Conclusion: Macrophages and neutrophilic granulocytes are
present in high numbers in the follicle wall and are further increase
d in the theca at ovulation, suggesting an active role for these leuko
cyte subtypes in tissue remodeling during the ovulatory process. Macro
phages and neutrophils are also abundant in the CL, and an increase in
the macrophage density at CL regression could imply a role for these
cells in luteolysis.