Studies on the cytodynamics of human endometrial regeneration. III. In vitro short-term incubation historadioautography.

The proliferation kinetics of endometrial regeneration were assessed by tracing nucleoprotein precursor, radiothymidine. Increased isotope uptake occurred by cycle day 3 and was confined to the gland cells of denuded stratum basale (basal layer) and persistent uterine lining, bordering peripheral areas of denudation. This increase resulted in the formation of flattened surface epithelial cells, which initially were devoid of significant deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. Such alterations are consistent with changes in cells involved in ameboid migration. Maturation of migrating cells was accompanied by a significant rise in labeling indices and replication at cycle days 3 and 4. By cycle day 5, endometrial repair was complete. The findings indicate that, following physiologic loss of stratum functionale, endometrial healing involves both migration and replication of surface cells, which originate from the gland stumps of the residual basal layer and the persistent surface epithelium adjacent to the periphery of denuded endometrium.