Salpingitis Impairs Bovine Tubal Function and Sperm-Oviduct Interaction

Abstract

Salpingitis is a common cause for subfertility and infertility both in humans and animals. However, the effects of salpingitis on tubal function and reproductive success are largely unknown. Therefore we set out to investigate the effects of inflammation on sperm and oocyte transport and gameto-maternal interaction in the oviduct using the bovine as a model. For this purpose, oviducts revealing mild (n = 45), moderate (n = 55) and severe (n = 45) inflammation were obtained from cows immediately after slaughter and investigated by live cell imaging, histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. Our studies showed that endometritis was always correlated with salpingitis. Moderate and severe inflammation caused a significant increase in the thickness of tubal folds (p < 0.05). Severe inflammation was characterized by luminal accumulations of mucus and glycoproteins, increased apoptosis, loss of tight junctions and shedding of tubal epithelial cells. The mean ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in the ampulla was significantly reduced as compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The higher the grade of inflammation, the lower was the CBF (p < 0.001). In severe inflammation, spermatozoa were stuck in mucus resulting in decreased sperm motility. Our results imply that tubal inflammation impairs proper tubal function and leads to reduced sperm fertilizing capacity.

Toll‐like receptor 2 mediates the immune response of the bovine oviductal ampulla to sperm binding

“…Interestingly, the bound sperm oriented in the same direction as the cilia, which beat in synchrony and in the same direction (Owhor, Reese, & Kölle, 2019), as is common for patches of ciliated cells (Marshall & Kintner, 2008). Since the beating cilia created a flow of fluid over the explant surface, the sperm were probably orienting into the flow (Tung et al, 2015).…”

Bovine sperm-oviduct interactions are characterized by specific sperm behaviour, ultrastructure and tubal reactions which are impacted by sex sorting

“…As shown by our quantitative live cell imaging studies, PTS is not affected by sperm binding neither in conventional nor in sex-sorted spermatozoa. Similarly, diseases in the bovine female genital tract, such as inflammation, have been shown not to impact PTS 61,76 . These findings point to the fact that the female genital tract tries to maintain a constant transport speed by combining up-and downregulation of CBF, tubal fluid flow or smooth muscle contraction.…”

“…Sexed sperm heads are also covered by increased amounts of secretions, which might be caused by stripping of the BSP proteins exposing surface proteins. As shown in studies of sperm-oviduct interactions in inflamed oviducts, excessive amounts of secretions on the sperm affect the sperm release from the reservoir 61 . Release of sperm from the reservoir is initiated by hyperactivation, which is characterized by asymmetrical flagellar bending with a high amplitude 8 .…”

“…As sperm survival and sperm fertilizing capacity can only be maintained within the reservoir, different bulls may be well or badly suited for sex sorting. As the health of the female genital tract plays an additional decisive role for sperm, these individual differences are pivotal for the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) 61 . Future studies will have to focus on establishing reliable predictors for the stress resistance of spermatozoa and for the performance of spermatozoa after sex-sorting.…”

Morphofunctional Organization of the Uterine Tubes in the Conditions of Pathology

“…При цьому вони потовщені, набряклі та склерозовані, зрощені між собою, в результаті чого на поперечному розрізі слизова оболонка маткової труби має сітчасту структуру з заглибинами, які вистелені ущільненим кубічним епітелієм. Часто склероз супроводжується значним звуженням та деформацією просвіту труби [30]. На непрохідність маткових труб впливають також явища ендометріозу.…”