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Figure 4 | Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology

Figure 4

From: Endometrial response to IVF hormonal manipulation: Comparative analysis of menopausal, down regulated and natural cycles

Figure 4

SEM of tissue from a patient undergoing downregulation (Group 3). (A) The epithelial response to pituitary down-regulation with GnRH is similar to that of an unstimulated epithelium. The microvillous cells are undemarcated and flat with sparsely distributed low or blebbed microvilli. Apical cell membrane is exposed (asterisk), apical defects (AP) and cell porosity (CP) apparent. Groups of cilia are still apparent but cilia number is reduced exposing bulging cellular apices (arrows). Scale bar = 5 μm. (B) The epithelial response in the same patient as (A) after pituitary down-regulation followed by HRT. A well stimulated, mature secretory phase morphology suggestive of D5P was observed. Mid to long, dense microvilli were observed on protruding cells, and there was an abundance of well ciliated cells, secretory droplets and fully developed uterodomes (U). Scale bar = 5 μm.

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