The ultrastructural organization and the alkaline phosphatase activity of the epithelial surface of the bovine fallopian tube

Summary The epithelial surface of the bovine Fallopian tube has been studied with respect to its ultrastructure and alkaline phosphatase activity. The ciliated cells were found to be provided with cilia and microvilli. The cilia were placed in rows and were most frequent in the central area of each cell surface. The basal corpuscles were provided with indistinct rootlets. The microvilli occurred between the cilia, but showed the reverse distribution, being most frequent towards the periphery of the cell surface. As a rule a marked alkaline phosphatase activity could be revealed on the ciliated cell surface, presumably associated with the microvilli.The secretory cells were bulging over the surface of the ciliated cells. Theywere provided with irregular protrusions, which were as a rule long and slender during the follicular phase but shorter and bulkier during the luteal phase. No alkaline phosphatase activity was detected.This investigation was supported by a grant from the foundation Thérèse och Johan Anderssons Minne.