The regulation of ciliary beat frequency by ovarian steroids in the guinea pig Fallopian tube: interactions between oestradiol and progesterone

Abstract

Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) was measured in slice preparations of the Fallopian tube fimbria, using videomicroscopy with a high-speed (500 Hz) camera in guinea pigs that were treated with β-oestradiol benzoate (βE 2 B) and medroxy progesterone (mPRG). In non-ovulating guinea pigs at 4 weeks of age, the CBF of the fimbria was high (17.8 Hz). In sexually mature guinea pigs (12-16 weeks of age) with constant ovulation, the CBF varied from 12 Hz to 16 Hz. The in vivo administration of both ICI-182,780 (a blocker of βE 2 receptors) and mifepristone (a blocker of PRG receptors) induced high CBF (17.4 Hz). The administration of βE 2 B at a low (3.2 mg/kg/day) or high (32 mg/kg/day) dose decreased the CBF to 14.5 Hz or 11 Hz, respectively. ICI-182,780 abolished the βE 2 B-induced changes in CBF and decreased CBF to 12 Hz. The administration of mPRG (6.4 mg/kg/day) decreased CBF to 12.5 Hz. Mifepristone abolished this mPRG-induced decrease in CBF and maintained the CBF at 15 Hz. However, administering both βE 2 B and mPRG increased CBF to 17.5 Hz, suggesting that βE 2 B inhibits mPRG actions and vice versa. To confirm the interactions between βE 2 B and mPRG, we administered both βE 2 B and mPRG to guinea pigs that were pretreated for 1.5 days with either mPRG (6.4 mg/kg/day) or βE 2 B (3.2 mg/kg/day). Prior treatment with βE 2 B or mPRG prevented the increase in CBF that was otherwise by βE 2 B plus mPRG, and maintained the CBF at 14.5 Hz or 13 Hz, respectively. The administration of βE 2 B plus mPRG still induced the expression of PRG receptors, indicating that the highest CBF is not the result of no expression of the receptors. In the beating cilia of the fimbria, the signals that are activated by the βE 2 and PRG receptors are proposed to antagonize each other in regulating the frequency.

Tubal transport of gametes and embryos: a review of physiology and pathophysiology

“…Similar to antagonistic effects of estrogen and progesterone towards each other at the endometrial level, it has been suggested that their effects on CBF in the fallopian tube may be nullifying [48]. Considering that the effect of progesterone on ciliated cells is very rapid, it has been suggested that these effects are part of the non-genomic actions of progesterone [49].…”

Human fallopian tube epithelium co-culture with murine ovarian follicles reveals crosstalk in the reproductive cycle

“…The beating of cilia is critical to facilitate the movement of eggs, sperm and the embryo. Estrogen and progesterone can regulate the ciliary beating rate in the reproductive cycle, which ultimately controls the location of fertilization in the fallopian tube and later guides embryo transfer into the uterus (Mahmood et al, 1998;Nakahari et al, 2011). Oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 [OVGP1], produced by fallopian secretory cells, positively influences the capacitation of sperm and its motility prior to fertilization (Erickson-Lawrence et al, 1989;Verhage et al, 1997).…”

A microfluidic culture model of the human reproductive tract and 28-day menstrual cycle

“…Our work confirmed that the cultured human fallopian tube epithelium, including ciliated and secretory cells, could be regulated by exogenous steroid hormones secreted by co-cultured ovarian tissues. Specifically, cilia length, cilia-beating status, and oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1) secretion provided hallmarks of the functional changes in the human fallopian epithelium during the menstrual cycle27282930. In the current study, fallopian explants were incorporated into the Quintet-MFP to facilitate a more complex co-culture environment beyond simple static cultures.…”