Fig. 4

Murine Reproductive Tract Tissue after CuPcS Exposure. The images are cross sections of vaginal tissue samples stained with H&E from mice in various stages of estrus. a Mid-vagina: diestrus, Group 2 (1 % Carbopol gel). The stratum germantivum is thickening and the epithelial cells in the superficial layers are demonstrating early mucification. Multifocally, occasional leukocytes are present in the superficial epithelial cell layers and small to small-medium numbers of leukocytes are present in the lamina propria. H&E, 40X. b Mid-vagina: diestrus, Group 4 (100 mg/ml CuPcS). The stratum germantivum is thickening and the epithelial cells in the superficial layers are consistent with early mucification. Multifocally, occasional to small numbers of leukocytes are present in the superficial epithelial cell layers and occasional to small-medium numbers of leukocytes are present in the lamina propria. H&E, 40X. c Mid-vagina: proestrus, Group 2 (1 % Carbopol gel). The outer stratum mucification layer is composed of epithelial cells containing mucin vacuoles and overlies a thin, eosinophilic stratum corneum. There is an absence of leukocytes in the underlying stratum granulosum and stratum germintivum. Occasional to small numbers of leukocytes are present in the lamina propria. H&E, 40X. d Mid-vagina: proestrus, Group 4 (100 mg/ml CuPcS). The outer stratum mucification layer is composed of epithelial cells containing mucin vacuoles and overlies an eosinophilic-staining stratum corneum showing artifactual intra-layer separation of the cornified cells. There is an absence of leukocytes in the underlying stratum granulosum and stratum germintivum. Occasional leukocytes are present in the lamina propria. H&E, 40X. e Mid-vagina: diestrus, Group 1 (Control). The stratum germantivum is thickening and the epithelial cells in the superficial layers are becoming polyhedral in shape. Multifocally, small to small-medium numbers of degenerate leukocytes are present in the superficial epithelial cell layers and occasional to small numbers of leukocytes are present in the lamina propria. H&E, 40X