SEM On corrosion casts of the uterine vasculature - the effects of ageing on the human endometrium

We performed dissection, arterial injection of Metacrylate (Mercox (R)), and preparation of corrosion casts of 25 human uteri for Scanning Electron Microscopy evaluation. We further conceived a series of observations of the uterine vascular network of experimental animals (in the Wistar rat) in 154 cases, prepared with the same techniques, at different ages, from childhood to sexual maturity, and through ageing to natural death. One of the main vascular characteristic of uterine ageing is the reduction of the relative proportion of the arterial and venous compartments of the Endometrium, with enhancement and growth of the venous compartment, and exuberant dilation of the myometrial veins. The main distinctive vascular hallmark of uterine ageing resides in the high level of frequency, with which uterine fibroids are detected.