Histochemical observations on the female reproductive tract of bats. IV. Mucopolysaccharides in the uterus of three species of bats.

The three species of bats studied show glycogen, neutral, sialo- and sulfomucins in the cells of the uterine epithelium and glands. Elaboration of these mucins occurs during anestrus in Pteropus giganteus and during proestrus in Taphozous longimanus. In Megaderma lyra lyra only glycogen is observed during anestrus and proestrus. Neutral, and sialomucins in addition to glycogen are observed during estrus. The concentration of these mucins increases progressively and is maximum at the time of implantation, decreasing thereafter in all the three species of bats. The elaboration and increase of mucins is probably under the influence of hormones of the ipsilateral ovary.