Energy metabolism of the human fallopian tube.

The consumption of oxygen (QO2), the production of lactate and the profile of four key metabolic enzymes were measured in small samples of human oviductal mucosa (endosalpinx) removed at surgery. The QO2 in the absence of substrate was 3.4 microliters O2 (mg dry wt)-1 h-1, a value typical of quiescent tissue. The QO2 was stimulated by glucose, but diminished by glutamine and acetoacetate. Tissue lactate production was low and not increased by glucose. Hexokinase had the highest activity of the enzymes measured, followed by 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase; 6-phosphofructokinase and glycogen phosphorylase had low activities. The data are consistent with the proposition that glucose is a major metabolic fuel for human endosalpinx.     

Prostaglandin F in the fallopian tube secretion of the ewe

Oviducal secretions were obtained from conscious unrestrained ewes throughout the oestrous cycle via indwelling cannulae and the content of prostaglandin F (PGF) was determined by radioimmunoassay. Levels of PGF of up to 230 ng/ml were found in oviducal fluids obtained from ewes showing regular patterns of secretion and normal cyclical ovarian function as indicated by plasma progesterone measurement. Relatively large day to day fluctuations in content were evident, but there was no consistent relationship between concentration and stage of the oestrous cycle. Concentrations of PGF in excess of 100 ng/ml were common in preparations where autopsy later revealed infection or tissue irritation, and the concentration of PGF invariably exceeded 75 ng/ml when the concentration of protein in the oviducal fluid was abnormally high.     

Adrenergic innervation of the fallopian tube of the monkey

Synopsis The distribution of adrenergic nerve terminals in the fallopian tube of the monkey was shown to be generally similar to that of other mammals. Vascular innervation was demonstrated to be present throughout the organ. In contrast, muscular innervation varied directly with the amount of muscle present, being sparse in the ampulla, and more abundant in the isthmus and at the region of junction between ampulla and isthmus. In all regions from infundibulum to isthmus, nerves in the mucosal folds were prominent, a finding only briefly alluded to in studies on other species.     

The expression of receptivity markers in the fallopian tube epithelium

Pinopodes represent the morphological and integrins, the biomollecular markers of endometrial receptivity. We studied using scanning electron microscopy, the expression of pinopodes on tubal samples and their corresponding endometria, from 21 women of reproductive age (7 from proliferative phase, 7 from day LH +5 and 7 from day LH +7). In addition, we examined the immunohistochemical staining of integrins αvβ3, αvβ5 and their ligands, fibronectin (FN) and osteopontin (OPN) in the same tubal epithelium samples. Pinopodes were detected on the tubal epithelium exclusively during day LH +7, coincident with their formation in the endometrium and synchronous to αvβ3 sharp increase in the oviduct epithelium, suggesting a regulation similar to the endometrium. In contrast, αvβ5, FN and OPN remained unchanged during the cycle. These results show for the first time the formation of pinopodes in the tubal epithelium at the time of endometrial receptivity and correlate it with the upregulation of the intact dimmer αvβ3 in the tubes.     

Embryo transfer through the wall of the fallopian tube in mice]

Two-cell mouse embryos obtained by in vitro fertilization were transferred into the ampulla of the fallopian tubes of pseudopregnant recipients through the wall of the tubes on day 1 of pseudopregnancy. A total of 112 embryos were transferred to 7 pseudopregnant recipients and 68 young (60.7%) were born.     

Amino acids in cat fallopian tube and follicular fluids

Aminograms of tubal and follicular fluids were obtained using fluids collected by aspiratory puncture from six cats. The amino acids were separated and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The serum of the cats was used as control. The three most prevalent amino acids quantified in cat tubal fluid were glycine, glutamic acid, and taurine. Their mean concentrations were 840 μmol/l (μm), 808 μm and 596 μm, respectively. The three most prevalent amino acids quantified in cat follicular fluid were alanine, glutamine, and taurine. Their mean concentrations were 359 μm, 351 μm, and 258 μm, respectively. This result is consistent with aminograms of tubal fluid previously determined in other mammals. As previously observed in other species and humans, glycine was quantitatively the most abundant and most prevalent free amino acid in cat tubal fluid. The total quantity of amino acids in tubal fluid was similar in cats and other species. However, in contrast with other species studied, hypotaurine was not detected in tubal and follicular fluids of female cats.     

Glycogen distribution in porcine fallopian tube epithelium during the estrus cycle

Histochemical features of two different parts of the porcine Fallopian tube have been studied, with special reference to cyclic changes in the distribution of glycogen particles. Porcine Fallopian tubes were obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Slides were studied under light microscopy utilising histological and histochemical techniques. The most striking feature during the periovulatory stage of the estrus cycle was the occurrence of glycogen granules in the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells in both the ampulla and isthmus of the Fallopian tubes. In the isthmus, cells containing numerous granules of polysaccharides aggregated into areas of different sizes were noted after ovulation. During the midluteal phase their number was minimal or were even absent. In the ampula typical extrusion of secretory granules and nuclei protruding into the tubal lumen was visible after ovulation. In the luteal phase a lot of nuclei protruded into the tubal lumen and some free in the lumen were noted. It is possible that glycogen in the preovulatory stage functions as a source of energy for ciliary movement and as a nourishment for the ovum. In the isthmus large number of aggregated glycogen particles was observed also after ovulation. In this stage of the cycle, numerous granules of polysaccharide aggregated in isthmus epithelium could be the major energy source for embriogenesis when the embryo travels down the Fallopian tubes, during the early cleavage stage.