Further Experience with Exfoliative Cytology of Urinary Tract: Increase in Exfoliation by Exercise

Abstract

Cytologic study of urine presents several inherent difficulties. These are the large initial volume, small number of cellular constituents, absence of intrinsic binding substance, presence of materials other than cells in the solute, changing pH and loss of cells by wash-off during wet fixation. In urine from asymptomic subjects there is, in addition, a very limited number of exfoliated cells. Urinary tract screening in such people is relatively unsatisfactory because of an inadequate number of exfoliated cells. In 20 normal males simple exercise, consisting of jumping up and down, markedly increased the number of exfoliated cells in the normal urines. The mechanism appears to be mechanical. Such a method for increasing exfoliation may improve the eventual results in urinary screening technique.