The relief characteristics of the apical cell surface of endometrial epitheliocytes in women suffering from sterility

Functional changes in the surface topography of the uterus in women of reproductive age have been studied using scanning electron microscopy. The state of the cell surface relief was estimated at different phases of the menstrual cycle and in sterile women. The presence of wide and short ruffles of epithelial cells covered with mucus is typical of the secretory phase of the cycle. No microvilli or cilia are seen on the epitheliocyte surface. In contrast, the follicular phase is characterized with numerous deep ruffles of epithelium covered with cylindrical cells. The apical surface is studded with numerous microvilli and cilia persisting even in sterile women at all the stages of the cycle. The disturbances of nidation processes in the fertilized ovule may apparently be associated with the patterns of the cell surface relief.