THE FINE-STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN ENDOMETRIAL GLANDULAR EPITHELIUM IN CASES OF UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY - A MORPHOMETRIC STUDY

In the present study attempts have been made to express in quantitativ e terms the fine structure of the endometrial glandular epithelium in well-timed biopsies from fertile women during the early luteal phase. Biopsies from women with unexplained infertility have also been examin ed. Certain abnormalities of glandular maturation were found in these women. The nuclear channel system was not present at day luteinizing h ormone (LH) + 4 in the infertile group while at LH + 6 there were more cells containing this feature than seen in the fertile group. There a lso seem to be abnormalities associated with intracellular deposits of glycogen-rich material and mitochondrial elaboration in the infertile women. Changes in the secretory apparatus and rough endoplasmic retic ulum were observed. The evidence from the present study suggests that the endometria in the examined group of infertile women is responsive to steroidal stimulation. This response however, may be delayed or ina dequate.