Granulated Metrial Gland Cells in Relation to Other Cells in the Uterus

Abstract

The cellular differentiation which occurs in the uterus in response to a decidualising stimulus was thought for many years to involve the production of three histologically distinct cell types, antimesometrial and mesometrial decidual cells and GMG cells (reviewed by De Feo 1967; Finn 1977). Whether GMG cells should be considered strictly as “decidual cells” was questioned by Finn on the grounds that, although they are part of the implantation reaction, they are not shed. Some GMG cells could be described as cells “of the decidua” rather than “decidual cells” as they develop in the decidua which is shed but others develop in the metrial gland which is not shed at parturition. More recently, however, Padykula (1981) stated that there are 11 or more cell types identifiable in routine light microscope preparations which should be considered as part of the uterine stromal population, the majority of which can be found in pregnancy.