Skip to main content

Female Reproductive Tract

  • Chapter
Estrogens and Antiestrogens I

Part of the book series: Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology ((HEP,volume 135 / 1))

  • 254 Accesses

Abstract

At about the sixth week of fetal development, invagination of the celomic epithelium to form a furrow creates a groove whose lips later fuse to form the lateral Müllerian (or paramesonephric) ducts. Müllerian ducts first become apparent high on the dorsal wall of the celomic cavity and then progressively grow caudally to enter the pelvis, where they swing medially to fuse. Further caudal growth brings these fused ducts into contact with the urogenital sinus (Fig. 1B). With relatively uncomplicated transformations, the unfused portions mature into the fallopian tubes and the fused caudal portion, into the uterus and the vagina. The upper portion of the vagina is generally held to be of Müllerian origin, and the lower portion is probably derived from the urogenital sinus. It is apparent that the entire lining of the uterus and the tubes is derived from celomic epithelium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Amso NN, Crow J, Shaw RW (1994) Comparative immunohistochemical study of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the fallopian tube and uterus at different stages of the menstrual cycle and the menopause. Hum Reprod 9:1027–1037.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berta P, Hawkins JR, Sinclair AH, Taylor A, Griffiths BL, Goodfellow PN, Fellous M (1990) Genetic evidence equating SRY and the testis-determining factor. Nature 348:448–450.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carson SA (1992) A summary of normal female reproductive physiology. In: Alexander NJ, d’Areangues (eds) Steroid hormones and uterine bleeding. AAAS Press, Washington.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chauchereau A, Savouret J-F, Milgrom E (1992) Control of biosynthesis and posttranscriptional modification of progesterone receptor. Biol Reprod 46:174–177.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen L, Lindner HR, Lancet M (1973) Mitogenic action of estradiol-17β on human myometrial and endometrial cells in long-term tissue cultures. J Endocrinol 59:87–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Critchley HOD, Bailey DA, An CL, Affandi B, Rogers PAW (1993) Immunohistochemical sex steroid receptor distribution in endometrium from long-term sub-dermal levonorgestrel users and during the normal menstrual cycle. Hum Reprod 8:1632–1637.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cullinan-Bove K, Koos RD (1993) Vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor expression in the rat uterus: rapid stimulation by estrogen correlates with estrogen-induced increases in uterine capillary permeability and growth. Endocrinology 133:829–837.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danforth DH (1983) The morphology of the human cervix. Clin Obstet Gynecol 26:7–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elbrecht A, Smith RG (1992) Aromatase enzyme activity and sex determination in chickens. Science 255:467–470.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferenczy A, Bertrand G, Gelfand MM (1979) Proliferation kinetics of human endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle. Am J Obstet Gynecol 133:859–867.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Folkman J, Klagsburn M (1987) Angiogenic factors. Science 235:442–447.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gier HT, Marion GB (1969) Development of the mammalian testis and genital ducts. Biol Reprod 1:1–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gill WB, Schumacher GFB, Bibbo M, Straus FH, Schoenberg HW (1979) Association of diethylstilboestrol exposure in utero with cryptorchidism, testicular hypoplasia and semen abnormalities. J Urol 122:36–39.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guerrier D, Tran D, Vanderwinden JM, Hideux S, Van Outryve L, Legeai L, Bouchard M, Van Vliet G, De Laet MH, Picard JY, Kahn A, Josso N (1989) The persistent Müllerian duct syndrome: a molecular approach. J Clin Endcrinol Metab 68:46–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gurpide E, Schatz F, Markiewicz L (1990) Steroid effects on endometrial prostaglandin production. In: D’Arcangues C, Fraser IS, Newton JR, Odlind V (eds) Contraception and mechanisms of endometrial bleeding. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 267–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haqq CM, King CY, Donahoe PK, Weiss MA (1993) SRY recognizes conserved DNA sites in sex specific promoters. PNAS 90:1097–1101.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harlap S (1992) The benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy: an epidemiologic review. Am J Obstet Gynecol 166:1986–1992.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins JR (1993) Mutational analysis of SRY in XY females. Hum Mutat 2:347–350.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbst AL, Ulfelder H, Poskanzer DC (1971) Adenocarcinoma of the vagina: association of maternal stilbestrol therapy with tumor appearance in young women. N Engl J Med 284:878.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Horie K, Takahura K, Imai K, Liao S, Mori T (1992) Immunohistochemical localisation of androgen receptor in the human endometrium, decidua, placenta and pathological conditions of the endometrium. Hum Reprod 7:1461–1466.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jager RJ, Harley VR, Pfeiffer RA, Goodfellow PN Scherer G (1992) A familial mutation in the testis-determining gene SRY shared by both sexes. Hum Genet 90:350–355.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jansen RPS (1984) Endocrine response in the Fallopian tube. Endocr Rev 5:525–551.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jirasek JE (1971) Development of the genital system and male pseudohermaphroditism. John Hopkins Press, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones RK, Burner JN, Searle RF (1995) Immunohistochemical characterization of proliferation, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression in endometriosis: comparison of entopic and extopic endomterium with normal cycling endometrium. Hum Reprod 10:3272–3279.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Josso N, Cate RL, Picard J-V (1993) Anti-Müllerian hormone: the Jost factor. In: Bardin CW (ed) Recent progress in hormone research, no 48. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 1–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jost A (1947) Recherches sur la différenciation sexuelles de l’embryon de lapin. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp 36:271–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leese HJ, Dickens CJ (1992) Tubal physiology and function. In: Templeton AA, Drife JO (eds) Infertility. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 157–168.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lippes J, Kasner J, Alfonso LA, Dacalos ED, Lucero R (1981) Human oviductal fluids proteins. Fertil Steril 36:623–629.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lubahn DB, Moyer JS, Golding TS, Couse JF, Korach KS, Smithies O (1993) Alteration of reproductive function but not prenatal sexual development after insertional disruption of the mouse estrogen receptor gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90:11162–11166.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magre S, Jost A (1980) The initial phases of testicluar organogenesis in the rat. An electron microscopy study. Arch Anat Microsc Morphol Exp 69:297–318.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maguiness SD, Djahanbakhch O, Grudzinskas JG (1992) Assessment of the fallopian tube. Obstet Gynecol Surv 47:587–603.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McLachlan JA, Newbold RR, Bullock B (1975) Reproductive tract lesions in male mice exposed prenatally to diethylstilboestrol. Science 190:991–992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mishina Y, Rey R, Finegold MJ, Matzuk MM, Josso N, Cate RL, Behringer RR (1996) Genetic analysis of the Müllerian-inhibiting substance signal transduction pathway in mammalian sexual differentiation. Genes Dev 10:2577–2587.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newbold RR, Suzuki Y, McLachlan JA (1984) Müllerian duct maintenance in heterotypic organ culture after in vivo exposure to diethylstilboestrol. Endocrinology 115:1863–1868.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Noyes RW, Hertig AT, Rock J (1950) Dating the endometrial biopsy. Fertil Steril 1:3–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robboy SJ, Szyfelbein WM, Goellner JR, Kaufman RH, Taft PD, Richard RM Gaffey TA, Prat J, Virata R, Hatab PA, McGorray SP, Noller KL, Townsend D, Labarthe D, Barnes AB (1981) Dysplasia and cytologic findings in 4589 young women enrolled in diethyl-stilbestrol adenosis project. Am J Obstet Gynecol 140:579.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rorie DK, Newton M (1967) Histologic and chemical studies of smooth muscle in the human cervix and uterus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 99:466–469.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schott RJ, Morrow LA (1993) Growth factors and angiogenesis. Cardiovasc Res 27:1155–1161.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair AH, Berta P, Palmer MS, Hawkins JR, Griffiths BL, Smith MJ, Foster JW, Frischauf AM, Lovell-Badge R, Godfellow PN (1990) A gene from the human sexdetermining region encodes a protein with homology to a conserved DNA-binding motif. Nature 346:240–244.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith CA, Andrews JE, Sinclair AH (1997) Gonadal sex differentiation in chicken embryos: expression of estrogen receptor and aromatase genes. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 60:295–302.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snijders MPML, de Goeij AFPM, Debets-Te Baerts MJC, Rousch MJM, Koudstaal J, Bosman FT (1992) Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors in the human uterus throughout the menstrual cycle and after the menopause J Reprod Fertil 94:363–371.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss JF III, Gurpide E (1991) The endometrium: regulation and dysfunction. In: Yen SSC, Jaffe RB (eds) Reproductive endocrinology. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 309–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamaya T, Murakami T, Okada H (1986) Concentrations of steroid receptors in normal human endometrium in relation to the day of the menstrual cycle. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 65:195–198.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tseng L, Mazella J, Sun B (1986) Modulation of aromatase activity in human endometrial stromal cells by steroids, tamoxifen and RU 486. Endocrinology 118:1312–1318.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verhagen HG, Bareither ML, Jaffe RC, Akbar M (1979) Cyclic changes in ciliation secretion and cell height of the oviductal epithelium in women. Am J Anat 156:505–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser JA, McLuskey A, Verhoef-Post M, Kramer P, Grootegoed JA, Themmen APN (1998) Effect of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol on Müllerian duct development in fetal male mice. Endocrinology 139:4244–4251.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss NS, Szekely DR, English DR, Schweid AI (1979) Endometrial cancer in relation to patterns of menopausal estrogen use. JAMA 242:261–264.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson JD, Griffin JE, George FW, Leshin M (1981) The role of gonadal steroids in sexual differentiation. Recent Prog Horm Res 37:1–39.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yasuda Y, Masuda S, Chikuma M, Inoue K, Nagao M, Sasaki R (1998) Estrogendependent production of erythropoietin in uterus and its implication in uterine angiogenesis. J Biol Chem 273:25381–25387.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamboni L, Upadhyay S (1983) Germ cell differentiation in mouse adrenal glands. J Exp Zool 228:173–193.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hegele-Hartung, C. (1999). Female Reproductive Tract. In: Oettel, M., Schillinger, E. (eds) Estrogens and Antiestrogens I. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 135 / 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58616-3_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-58616-3_14

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-63667-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-58616-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics