THE USE OF CYTOCHEMICAL TOOLS 



FOR STUDY OF OXIDATIVE ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY 



IN CELLS OF VAGINAL SMEAR PREPARATIONS* 



C. G. ROSA 



The Daniel Baugh Institute of Anatomy, Jefferson Médical Collège, 

 Philadelphia 7, Pennsylvania 



Earlier observations hâve indicated that diphosphopyridine nucleotide- 

 -diaphorase is cytochemically demonstrable within certain cells found 

 in the vaginal pool of the mouse during proestrus. The method employed 

 involves the use of lactate, coenzyme I and nitro-BT and has recently 

 been applied to human smear préparations obtained during the menstrual 

 cycle and postmenopausal states. Exfoliated cells derived from patho- 

 logie lésions such as squamous cell carcinoma of the uterinç cervix 

 hâve also been studied. 



Data acquired up to the présent time indicate that various normal 

 components can contain high enzymatic activity. Thèse are the endo- 

 metrial cells, histiocytes and certain leucocytes. Cells demonstrating 

 somewhat lesser activity are those derived from the basai layers of the 

 vaginal epithelium. Progressive comification of thèse cells leads to the 

 loss of demonstrable enzyme. Malignant cells and many of the microbial 

 flora of normal and pathologie states show considérable activity. 



The relative ease and brevity of the technical manipulations should 

 allow for the continued application of cytochemical oxidative enzyme 

 procédures to simple smear préparations. This report emphasizes espe- 

 cially, the considération of materials for study which dérive cellular 

 components by virtue of exfoliative mechanisms. 



*Supported in part by research grant (RG-6008 Cl) from the Division o| 

 Research Grants, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda 14, Maryland. 



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