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While the prudential value of sociology is often ignored (or dismissed), there are evident benefits to those occupying administrative positions, particularly in adjudicating truth claims and making difficult judgments with limited data. Another attendant benefit might be self-awareness, especially regarding one's limitations; however, such awareness seems to be employed more sparingly, both within and outside of the discipline.

The initial stages of neovascularization of the corpus luteum were studied in cycling adult rats using light-microscopic autoradiography. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether endothelial mitosis is a factor in this vascular growth and whether there are differences in the amount of mitotic activity in various regions of the ovary. Ovaries were examined at two time intervals: 1–2 hr and 7–8 hr following ovulation. Animals received an intraperitoneal injection of tritiated-thymidine 20 min prior to perfusion fixation of the ovaries. Autoradiographic demonstration of tritiated-thymidine labeling in endothelial nuclei was considered an indication of DNA synthesis preceding mitosis. The percentage of labeled endothelial cells in the ovaries at both time intervals varied according to the region of tissue examined and the stage of differentiation of that region. Stromal vessels were less heavily labeled than thecal vessels. Thecal vessels surrounding growing follicles were more heavily labeled than those surrounding atretic follicles. The heaviest labeling was seen in the developing corpora lutea 7–8 hr following ovulation. Minimal labeling was evident in the corpora lutea which were formed in previous cycles. A regional difference was also detected in the ovarian mesothelium. The portion of the mesothelium overlying ovulated follicles and developing corporalutea had the greatest percentage of labeled cells. The major findings of this study were: (1) endothelial mitosis was elevated in the initial stages of luteal neovascularization; (2) the heightened endothelial labeling was confined to specific regions of the ovary; and (3) mesothelium in close proximity to the developing corpora lutea also displayed heightened DNA synthesis.

Using indirect immunofluorescence and monoclonal antibodies, we have determined the distribution of Ia+ cells in the non-pregnant rat uterus. In cycling animals, Ia+ cells, most of dendritic shape and non-specific esterase negative, were abundant in the connective tissue of the myometrium and throughout the endometrium, especially adjacent to the luminal and glandular epithelia. In contrast, the number of T lymphocytes was very much less and few of these cells expressed Ia antigen. Stromal Ia+ cells were more numerous during estrus than in any other phase of the cycle. Only a few Ia+ cells were seen in neonatal uterine samples, but the numbers increased to approximately adult levels by 32 days of age. Prepubertal glands were consistently negative, but epithelial expression of Ia antigens in adult uteri showed interesting variations. The luminal epithelium was always negative, whereas the glandular epithelial cells often were positive. Glandular staining was quite heterogeneous in individual samples, but most gland profiles were negative or weakly positive during proestrus and estrus and positive during diestrus. Ovariectomized females given different steroid supplements revealed significant hormonal effects. Estrogen alone dramatically increased the numbers of Ia+ stromal cells compared with control samples, but progesterone alone had no effect. However, progesterone given with estrogen abrogated the estrogenic influence. Progesterone alone caused decreased expression of Ia antigens by the glandular epithelium. If the highly-Ia/ cells in the stroma are capable of antigen presentation, these results indicate a significant potential for local antigen processing with the uterine endometrium.

The relationships of socioeconomic status and belief-orthodoxy to religious participation are investigated. A literature review and multivariate analysis of Mennonite data suggests: first, that the relationship between socioeconomic status and religious participation may be due to educational rather than economic factors; second, that the oft reported zero-order correlation between orthodoxy of belief and religious participation is probably not spurious; and third, that belief-orthodoxy acts as a suppressor of the education/religious participation relationship.

This review symposium on Peter L. Berger's The Heretical Imperative: Comtemporary Possibilities of Religious Affirmation originated in a plenary session of the 1980 SSSR annual meeting in Cincinnati. The plenary session, chaired by Joseph H. Fichter, was organized by John Seidler, with the assistance of Wade Clark Roof. I am grateful to John for providing this readymade package. His work, along with the excellent cooperation I received from Peter Berger, the four discussants, and Journal Editor Phillip Hammond, is a dramatic example of the professional spirit that routinely prevails in our book review endeavors.