HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by LEROY, F. Articles by VAN HOECK, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by LEROY, F. Articles by VAN HOECK, J.

Human Reproduction Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Pierre Hospital, Free University, Brussels, Belgium

(Received 23 April 1976)

It is well known that activation of cell proliferation in the uterine epithelium can be induced by oestrogen (see Galand, Leroy & Chrétien, 1971). From some of our experiments involving intra-uterine injections, it was suggested that epithelial cell division could also be stimulated by mechanical dilatation of the uterine lumen. Therefore, we were prompted to submit this latter possibility to an appropriate experimental trial and, eventually, to compare the effect of uterine distention with the mitogenic action of oestradiol.

Wistar rats (± 150 g body weight) 7 days after ovariectomy were allocated to four groups of five to six animals. Fifteen hours before being killed, two groups were injected subcutaneously with 1 µg oestradiol-17β in oil, the two remaining groups were left without hormonal treatment. At the same time all