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Changes in the morphology of ribosomes in uterine epithelial cells under various hormonal conditions

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Summary

The ultrastructural morphology of “free” cytoplasmic ribosomes of rat uterine epithelial cells was studied during diestrus, estrus, after ovariectomy, and after estradiol-17β administration to rats that were ovariectomized 1 to 25 weeks before hormone treatment. A change in size and contrast of ribosomes was observed concomitant with a transition from pre-existing monosomes to polysomes depending on the dose of estradiol and its route of application. In 3 weeks ovariectomized rats these changes in ribosomal granules take place at approximately the same time (30–45 min) when synthesis of “induced protein” was described biochemically. The morphological events after estradiol administration are discussed with respect to a primary site of estrogen action.

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  1. Frauenklinik, University of Bonn, Bonn-Venusberg, Germany

    Jost Brökelmann

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The author wishes to thank Professor E.J. Plotz for continued support, Professors P. Gedigk and V. Totovic for electron microscope facilities in the Dept. of Pathology, Professor E.C. Roosen-Runge for valuable suggestions, and Miss S. Vosberg and Mrs. M. Przybilka for expert technical assistence.

This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

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Brökelmann, J. Changes in the morphology of ribosomes in uterine epithelial cells under various hormonal conditions. Cell Tissue Res. 179, 517–530 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219853

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