Physiology: Laser scattering instrument for real time in-vivo measurement of ciliary activity in human Fallopian tubes*

Abstract

Based on a laser light scattering technique and fibre optic probe, we have developed and tested a simple and practical device for real time measurements of ciliary activity in human Fallopian tubes during laparoscopy and laparotomy. A further aim was to investigate the relationship between the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) and the morphology of the ciliary epithelium. The mean +/- SE of CBF in the fimbria and in the ampulla were 5.4 +/- 0.3 Hz and 5.0 +/- 0.1 Hz respectively. Small pieces of fimbria and ampulla epithelium were taken from the same sites at which the CBF was measured, and the percentage of ciliary cells was determined by scanning electron microscopy. A high positive correlation was found between CBF and the percentage of ciliary cells in the fimbria (r = 0.84) and in the ampulla (r = 0.88). The instrument presented in this study provided, for the first time, a quantitative examination of the CBF in intact human Fallopian tubes and may be used for the investigation of ciliary activity in patients with infertility.

Platelet activating factor increases ciliary activity in the hamster oviduct through epithelial production of prostaglandin E2

“…Figure 1B shows a representative frequency spectrum from primary cultures submitted to CBF measurements under control conditions. Similar beat frequency values have also been described for rabbit, monkey, human, and hamster explants [17,21,32].…”

Ciliary Activity in the Oviduct of Cycling, Pregnant, and Muscarinic Receptor Knockout Mice1

“…Instead of ATP, 5-HT induces a strong increase in CBF from basal range of [19][20][21][22] Hz up to 28 Hz in rat brain ependymal cells [29] and from 9 to 17 Hz in the mouse trachea [8] but, again, not in the mouse oviduct. Similarly, CHRM agonists (muscarine and ACh) markedly stimulated CBF and PTS in the mouse trachea [7] (present study) but were ineffective in the mouse oviduct.…”

“…The high CBF value of 21 Hz that we recorded in the ampulla is at the upper range of what has been reported for mammalian cilia in the oviduct. In the human oviduct, a wide range of frequencies (between 5 and 20 Hz, but mostly ,10 Hz) has been reported, with the differences being ascribed to the various methods employed for assessment [19][20][21]. In view of this methodological discussion, it is important to note that the basal CBF values we record with our system in the murine trachea (7-10 Hz) [7,8] (present study) are well supported by studies from other groups utilizing different setups and other systems (10-11 Hz) [22][23][24].…”

Effets du tabagisme sur la reproduction : de l’ovocyte à l’embryon (Partie I)

“…Une activité ciliaire adé quate est conditionné e tout d'abord par la quantité de cellules cilié es [87]. Une diminution du nombre de cellules cilié es a é té observé e dans les trompes animales exposé es à la fumé e inhalé e et à la fumé e issue de la combustion de la cigarette (taux de cellules cilié es de 69,2 % dans les trompes non exposé es, 62,2 % dans les trompes exposé es à la fumé e inhalé e et 65,8 % dans les trompes exposé es à la fumé e issue de la combustion) [79].…”