Intracellular calcium in cultured rabbit oviduct epithelial cells

Abstract

Oviduct fluid is the medium in which fertilization and early embryonic development occur but little is known about the ionic basis of fluid secretion or its control. Since calcium ions (Ca2+) are involved in the mechanism of secretion in other epithelia, the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single, rabbit oviduct epithelial cells in primary culture using the fluorescent dye Fura-2. The resting [Ca2+]i was constant (115 nM) in cells cultured for 2-7 days. Ion substitution experiments demonstrated the presence of a Na+/Ca(2+)-exchange system in the plasma membrane, whereas influx through channels was found to have only a minor role maintaining the resting [Ca2+]i. The addition of dibutyryl cAMP (db cAMP) induced two types of response: the first was an increase in [Ca2+]i, dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, and the second was a zero response. Extracellular ATP induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i owing to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and Ca2+ entering the cell across the plasma membrane. It is proposed that these effects may be due to the presence of two types of cell in culture-the ciliated and non-ciliated (secretory type) oviduct epithelial cells.

Electrophysiological basis of human Fallopian tubal fluid formation

“…ATP also induces increases in intracellular calcium in epithelia, including airways (Mason et al, 1991;Chan et al, 1996;1997), and oviduct (Cox and Leese, 1995;Dickens et al, 1996aDickens et al, , 1996b. In cystic fibrosis, epithelial cells characteristically show reduced chloride secretion and thus reduced fluid secretion.…”

The morphological and functional observation of the gap junction proteins in the oviduct epithelia in young and adult hamsters

“…From a morphological view, the form and number of oviduct epithelial cells (including ciliated cells and secretory cells) have been discussed (Abe & Oikawa, 1989; Abe & Oikawa, 1993;Dickens et al, 1996;Abe et al, 1999) with consideration of age and the effect of hormones on reproductive function. In the estrus term, the ciliated cells are very animated and assist the movement of the fertilized ovum.…”