Identification of cells bearing leucocyte surface antigens in metrial gland tissue from rats of different gestational ages, strains or parities.

The effects of gestational age, strain and parity on cells bearing leucocyte markers in the rat metrial gland have been studied on smears of single cell preparations and on cryostat sections. No cells were observed bearing T lymphocyte markers, but cells expressing leucocyte common (LC), Ia and Thy-1.1 antigens were detected. In the metrial glands from random bred primigravid rats, there was a significant increase in the percentage of cells bearing LC antigen between day 10 and day 18. There was also a significant difference in the percentage of cells expressing LC antigen between inbred rats and random bred multiparous rats at day 13. The cells expressing LC antigen were distributed around blood vessels and were shown by their glycoprotein granule content to be identical with granulated metrial gland cells. The identity of the cells bearing Ia antigen was not clear but they appeared randomly distributed in the stroma of the metrial gland. Thy-1.1 antigen was observed on some cells and was associated with some blood vessels of the metrial gland. There were no significant differences in relation to gestational age, strain or parity in the percentages of cells bearing Ia or Thy-1.1 antigens. The results were discussed in relation to the ontogeny of granulated metrial gland cells and the role that the various antigen bearing cells may play in the development and function of the metrial gland.