Biology of the Uterus

In the decade following the publication of the first edition of Cellular Biology of the Uterus, advances in this field have been so rapid as to require not merely a revision of the earlier text but an essentially new volume. Even the title of the book has been changed, to Biology of the Uterus, to reflect the incorporation of more material based on classical anatomy and physiology. This histological and embryological information provides a necessary, though often lacking, background for the protein chemist and molecular biologist, and a bridge between biochemistry and biophysics, on the one hand, and clinical medicine, on the other. Thus, major practical problems in human reproduction, such as the mode of action of contraceptive agents and the cause of the initiation of labor, may be approached on a firm scientific footing. This text deals primarily with the biology of the uterus itself (comparative and human) rather than with placentation or pregnancy, and as such is a synthesis of data derived from many techniques, conventional and modern. Inasmuch as it is clearly beyond the competence of anyone scientist to prepare such a text on the basis of personal knowledge and experience, the aid of distinguished biologists from this country and abroad was enlisted. All of these authors, acknowledged experts in their respective fields, agreed to extensive revision of their chapters or preparation of entirely new contributions.

1 History.- 1. Greece.- 2. Alexandria.- 3. Rome.- 4. The Dark Ages .- 5. Renaissance.- 6. Sixteenth to Eighteenth Centuries.- 7. Embryology and Microscopic Anatomy.- 8. References.- 2 Comparative Anatomy.- 1. Types of Uteri.- 2. Distribution and Probable Evolution of Uterine Types.- 3. Correlations of Uterine Types with Other Biological Features.- 4. Miscellaneous Aspects of the Comparative Morphology of the Uterus.- 5. Summary and Conclusions.- 6. References.- 3 Prenatal Human Development.- 1. Urinary Preliminaries.- 2. The Paramesonephric Ducts.- 3. Fetal Development.- 4. References.- 4 Vascular Anatomy.- 1. Menstrual Cycle.- 2. Pregnancy.- 3. Conclusion.- 4. References.- 5 Vascular Physiology.- 1. Measurement of Uterine Blood Flow.- 2. Physiological Observations.- 3. Summary.- 4. References.- 6 Genetic, Biochemical, and Hormonal Mechanisms in the Regulation of Uterine Metabolism.- 1. Genetic Control of Metabolism.- 2. Biochemical Control of Metabolism.- 3. References.- 7 Estrogens, Nucleic Acids, and Protein Synthesis in Uterine Metabolism.- 1. Review of the Biosynthesis of Ribonucleic Acid and Protein.- 2. Estrogen.- 3. Conclusion.- 4. References.- 8 The Endometrium of Delayed and Early Implantation.- 1. Marsupials.- 2. Roe Deer.- 3. Armadillos.- 4. Insectivores and Chiroptera.- 5. Carnivores.- 6. Rodents.- 7. Discussion.- 8. References.- 9 The Implantation Reaction.- 1. Preparation of the Endometrium.- 2. Control of Endometrial Preparation.- 3. Sensitization of the Endometrium for Implantation ..- 4. The Implantation Process.- 5. Regression of the Decidua.- 6. Significance of the Decidua.- 7. Concluding Remarks.- 8. References.- 10 Scanning Electron Microscopy of the Endometrium.- 1. Ciliated Cells.- 2. Secretory Cells.- 3. Endometrial Secretions.- 4.Endometrial Glands.- 5. Species Differences.- 6. Cyclical Variations.- 7. Effect of Intrauterine Devices.- 8. Changes during Implantation of Blastocyst.- 9. Effect of Aging.- 10. Concluding Remarks.- 11. References.- 11 Histology and Ultrastructure of the Human Endometrium.- 1. Histology.- 2. Ultrastructure.- 3. Clinical Correlations.- 4. References.- 12 Biochemistry of the Myometrium.- 1. The Biological Unit of Vertebrate Smooth Muscle ...- 2. Energy Provision.- 3. Proteins of the Contractile Mechanism.- 4. Special Characteristics of the Contractile Mechanism of Mammalian Smooth Muscle.- 5. Concluding Remarks.- 6. References.- 13 Electrophysiological Properties of the Uterine Smooth Muscle.- 1. Review of Methodology.- 2. Ionic Distribution Patterns and Resting Potential in Myometrium.- 3. Excitation in Myometrium.- 4. Summary and Concluding Remarks.- 5. References.- 14 The Contractile Mechanism and Ultrastructure of the Myometrium.- 1. The Contractile Mechanism.- 2. The Organelles of Smooth Muscle.- 3. Structural Changes of the Myometrium.- 4. Discussion.- 5. References.- 15 Ultrastructural Pathology of the Uterus.- 1. Endometrial Morphological Response to Hyperestrogenic Environment.- 2. Endometrial Neoplasia.- 3. Endometrial Morphological Response to Hormonal Therapy: Progestin Effect on Hyperplasia and Neoplasia.- 4. Conclusions.- 5. References.- 16 Uterine Control of Ovarian Function.- 1. Ovarian Function.- 2. Uterine Function.- 3. Effects of Hysterectomy on Ovarian Function.- 4. Luteolytic Action of the Uterus.- 5. Ovarian Auto transplantation.- 6. Uterine Transplantation.- 7. Intrauterine Devices and Ovarian Function.- 8. Other Hormones Affecting Uterine-Ovarian Function .- 9. References.- 17 Endocrine Control of Parturition.- 1. Observations Implicating theFetus in the Control of Parturition..- 2. Parturition in the Sheep.- 3. Parturition in the Goat.- 4. Parturition in the Rabbit.- 5. Parturition in the Guinea Pig.- 7. Parturition in the Human.- Concluding Remarks.- References.