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Ultrastructural changes of the placenta in toxemia of pregnancy and in diabetes are described. In toxemia of pregnancy in the placenta definite morphological changes were observed; marked atrophy of the syntitial layer was followed by hyperplasia of the cytotrophoblastie cells. The most expressed changes occurred in the vessel wall: swelling of the endothelium, narrowing of the vessel-lumen, deposition of filamentous material in the cytoplasma. Morphological changes in the placenta in diabetes are moderate as compared to those observed in toxemia. Thickening of the basal membrane seems to be most characteristic. Ultrastructural changes are almost identical to those observed in toxemia. Morphological changes revealed may be responsible for the insuffiziency of the placenta and the intrauterine damage to the foetus.

Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed conspicuous superficial changes in endometrial carcinoma, primarily in highly differentiated cases, after treatment with high doses of a progesterone compound (Depo-Provera). The most important changes included decrease of superficial structure, distruction of microvilli, loosening of intercellular connection and disintegration of the glandular substance. In consequence a barren, poorly structured, "devastated" pattern was seen, which points to the regressive processes on intracellular plane occurring on the effect of progestagens. Results confirmed the hypothesis of the close relationship between intracellular and cell surface processes.

The use of progestagenic hormones in the treatment of endometrial carcinoma is reported in this paper. Optical microscopy and ultrastructural techniques used in morphological investigation established extremely good response to treatment primarily by adenocarcinomas which are characterised by advanced histologic differentiation. Deceleration of tumour progression was a clinical result of the therapeutic approach taken, with shorter or longer periods of remission being recordable. The results are likely to support the assumption that "cytostatic" action of progestagenic substances can yield desirable complementary effects in cases when surgical or radiological treatment is abandoned for high risk.