Cyclic changes in ciliation, secretion and cell height of the oviductal epithelium in women

Abstract

Oviducts were obtained from women who elected to undergo sterilization either during a normal menstrual cycle, after the first trimester of pregnancy, or in the puerperium. The percent of ciliated cells, cell height and morphology of the fimbria and ampulla were determined and correlated with the stage of the reporductive cycle and plasma levels of the ovarian steroids. Mature ciliated and secretory cells were observed only at mid-cycle. Atrophy, deciliation and loss of secretory activity coincided with elevated levels of serum progesterone. These degenerative processes continued during pregnancy. Ciliation, hypertrophy, and restoration of secretory activity occurred when serum progesterone was essentially undetectable and estradiol relatively low. During each menstrual cycle the secretory cells were observed to undergo a complete cycle of dedifferentiation-differentiation, whereas 10--12% of the ciliated cells lost and regenerated their celia. Ciliogenic cells were frequently present in the epithelium obtained from women in the mid-follicular phase. Fibrous granules, deuterosomes, procentrioles and ciliary buds were observed in the apex of these cells. Plasma levels of estradiol were higher during periods of atrophy and deciliation than they were during periods of hypertrophy and reciliation. It appears that the serum levels of estradiol were adequate to maintain a mature epithelium at all the reproductive stages included in this study. However, progesterone, when present, blocked the growth-promoting effect of estradiol in the oviduct.

Changes in the ratio of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression and their cellular localization throughout the ovulatory cycle in the human oviduct

“…While it is most likely that this is showing the difference between secretory and ciliated epithelial cells as we did not do concurrent staining for ciliated cell markers this can only be hypothesized. It is interesting to note that the percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells did not change in the different phases of the cycle which may indicate that the percentage of ciliated cells remains constant which is in agreement with (3,13) but in contrast to (4,14).…”

Stem‐Like Epithelial Cells Are Concentrated in the Distal End of the Fallopian Tube: A Site for Injury and Serous Cancer Initiation

“…After ovulation, the fallopian tube epithelium reverts back to a single layer with fragmented cells shed into the lumen [5,44]. In preparation for ovulation and transport of the egg, the number of ciliated cells also increases at the distal end of the tube [45,46]. From these observations, it is clear that the fallopian tube is dynamically regenerating during reproductive cycles.…”

Differential distribution of oestrogen receptor-alpha and -beta mRNAs in the female reproductive organ of rats as revealed by in situ hybridization

“…Oestrogen is believed to be a key regulatory factor in these processes, by acting on the epithelium and muscle coat of the oviduct (Verhage et al 1979, Moore & Croxatto 1988). The present study shows that the main targets of oestrogen in the oviduct may be the epithelium and muscle layer of the distal oviduct, and that the functions of oestrogen may be mediated by ER .…”