Deciliation in the ampulla of the rat oviduct and effects of estrogen on the process

Abstract

The mechanism by which cells in the ampullae of the rat oviducts undergo rapid deciliation during each estrous cycle and the effects of estrogen on the ciliated cells were examined. Untreated rats were killed on each day of the 5-day estrous cycle, and the ampullae of their oviducts were removed. Other rats were injected subcutaneously each day for 5 days with 0.3 microgram or 3.0 micrograms of estradiol benzoate or with 0.3 mg of tamoxifen, an estrogen antagonist, per kilogram of body weight. The ampullae of the oviducts of the treated rats were excised on the day following the last injection. The tissues from all the rats were fixed in glutaraldehyde, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined with a transmission electron microscope. Deciliation of cells was seen to occur by membrane-bound cilia packets (CPs) forming at the apices of cells and pinching off. Although CPs were more numerous at proestrus, they were also observed at estrus, diestrus-1, and diestrus-2, suggesting that the process of deciliation is an ongoing one that merely changes in rate. No evidence of resorption of cilia was seen. Estradiol treatment did not prevent CPs from forming, nor was tamoxifen treatment associated with any apparent enhancement of deciliation. Ciliated cells with CPs stained more darkly than ciliated cells that were without CPs, and the former appeared similar in their staining characteristics to secretory cells, most of which stain darkly. It was concluded that the cells of the ampulla deciliate rapidly by shedding their cilia into the lumen of the oviduct, that estrogen does not halt the process, and that ciliated cells may be transformed to secretory cells following loss of their cilia.

Light and Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies of Oviductal Epithelium in Thai Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) at the Follicular and Luteal Phases

“…Large numbers of cilia in the oviduct are formed during the follicular phase by the pattern of cilia formation appearing as daisy-like structures (Dirksen 1974) and extensive atrophy and deciliation take place during the luteal phase (Brenner 1969). Moreover, Reeder and Shirley (1999) suggested that the ciliated cells in the ampulla deciliate rapidly by shedding their cilia in the lumen of the oviduct. Taken together with these finding and the SEM results in this study, the patterns of ciliogenesis or deciliation were not illustrated in the buffalo oviduct throughout the cycle.…”

Expression of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptors in the oviduct of developing, cycling and pre-implantation rats

“…In contrast, change of cell phenotype from secretory to ciliated cells with estrogen treatment was demonstrated in primary culture of human oviductal epithelial cells (Comer et al 1998). Moreover, Reeder & Shirley (1999) suggested the possibility of transformation from ciliated cells to secretory cells following loss of cilia in an electron microscopic study. Further elucidation of this matter is necessary.…”

Estrogen Selectively Up-Regulates the Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase in the Oviducts

“…This strongly suggests that GPx-4 expression in the oviductal epithelium is regulated by a signal from the active ovary rather than in response to the presence of the oocyte. The mammalian oviduct is known to be under the influence of local steroids, especially the estrogens (61,62). The estrogens are known to induce the transcription of specific genes in the mammalian oviduct (1,(63)(64)(65).…”