Glycogen changes in the rat uterus during different phases of the oestrous cycle

الملخص EN

Objective : to study the glycogen content in the rat uterus at oestrous cycle (oes).

Design : an experimental study of the glycogen content in the rat uterus at (oes).

Setting : done during the period of 2000-2002 in the department of anatomy Mosul Medical College.

Methods : this study was carried out on 24 sexually mature virgin female rats of 13-15 weeks old and 165-270 gram weight.

They were divided into four groups according to the phases in oestrus cycle 1.

Metoestrus 2.dioestrus 3.

Proestrus and 4.

Oestrus phases, the uterine horns were divided into pieces of 3-4mm and prepared for histological examination, then sections of six micron thickness were collected and stained by alcian blue-periodic acid Schiffs’ reagent (PAS).

The glycogen was shown as magenta color.

Result : cellular proliferation was noticed at dioestrus and proestrus phases then followed by an increase in the glycogen content at proestrus which became highest at oestrus phase, which is mainly concentrated in the endometrium.

Conclusion : this study showed increase in glycogen content at proestrus and oestrus phases mainly concentrated at the endomatrium, due to consumption of glycogen by the future nidating zygot after mating and fertilization which occur in the endometrium later.