Abstract
Uterine fluid was collected from a group of normal patients and a group of patients with menorrhagia. Heparin-like activity was detected in 34 out of 38 samples using an anti-Xa heparin assay. The heparin-like activity in uterine fluid was inhibited by adding the heparin antagonist hexadimethrine bromide to the assay. Concentrations of fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products (FDPs) were measured in five samples of uterine fluid. FDPs in the concentration detected had no effect on the anti-Xa assay. Heparin-like activity was higher in the group with menorrhagia, although the differences were not significant. Heparin-like activity increased throughout the menstrual cycle and decreased during menstruation, suggesting a possible cyclical variation in activity. There was no correlation between mast cell numbers in the endometrium and myometrium and heparin-like activity in uterine fluid and no correlation between the numbers and the stage in the menstrual cycle. In a few patients with intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) heparin-like activity was increased.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- BENSLEY S. H. Pinacyanol erthrosinate as a stain for mast cells. Stain Technol. 1952 Sep;27(5):269–273. doi: 10.3109/10520295209105090. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Cooper B. S., Hawk H. W. Effect of intrauterine devices on endometrial mucopolysaccharides in the cow. Fertil Steril. 1968 Mar-Apr;19(2):310–316. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)36616-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Denson K. W., Bonnar J. The measurement of heparin. A method based on the potentiation of anti-factor Xa. Thromb Diath Haemorrh. 1973 Dec 31;30(3):471–479. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jaques L. B., Mahadoo J., Riley J. F. The mast cell/heparin paradox. Lancet. 1977 Feb 19;1(8008):411–413. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(77)92615-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mathur V. S., Chaudhury R. R. The effect of an intra-uterine plastic device on the mast cell count in the rat uterus. J Reprod Fertil. 1968 Feb;15(1):135–138. doi: 10.1530/jrf.0.0150135. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mehra U., Devi P. K., Chakravarti R. N., Chaudhury R. R. The relationship between endometrial mast cell count and bleeding in women following insertion of an intrauterine device. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1970 Jul 15;107(6):852–856. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(16)34036-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- VARA P. [On the function of the mast cells in the endometrium and their role in the noncoagulability of menstrual blood]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 1962 Oct;22:989–992. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]