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Microdissection and Dissociation of the Murine Oviduct: Individual Segment Identification and Single Cell Isolation
Published on: November 4, 2021
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Local immune system in oviduct physiology and pathophysiology: attack or tolerance?
M A Marey1, M S Yousef2, R Kowsar3
1Obihiro University of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Japan; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhur University, Behera, Egypt.
Domestic Animal Endocrinology
|June 28, 2016
Summary
The bovine oviduct maintains an anti-inflammatory environment supporting sperm viability under physiological conditions. Sperm-oviduct interaction further enhances this anti-inflammatory balance, crucial for fertilization.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Oviduct physiology
- Innate and adaptive immunity
Background:
- The oviduct immune system balances protection against pathogens with support for fertilization.
- Hormonal influences (Estradiol-17β, progesterone, LH) regulate oviduct immune homeostasis.
- Pathological conditions trigger inflammatory responses, while physiological states promote immune tolerance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the local oviduct immune system in supporting sperm viability.
- To determine whether oviduct immunity is beneficial or detrimental to sperm and early embryo development.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) modulate immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of bovine oviduct epithelial cell (BOEC) responses to varying concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Investigation of the role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in modulating polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) activity.
- Examination of immune gene expression (TLRs, cytokines) in BOECs and PMNs under different conditions.
- Assessment of the impact of sperm-oviduct interaction on local oviduct immunity.
Main Results:
- BOECs exhibit differential responses to LPS, with low concentrations inducing inflammation and high concentrations promoting anti-inflammatory gene expression and tissue repair.
- Physiological levels of PGE2 downregulate PMN phagocytosis of sperm and contribute to an anti-inflammatory balance in BOECs.
- Sperm binding to BOECs shifts local immunity towards an anti-inflammatory state, upregulating IL-10, TGFβ, and PGE2, and promoting anti-inflammatory cytokine expression in PMNs.
- The oviduct-sperm interaction suppresses innate immune cells, reinforcing the anti-inflammatory environment.
Conclusions:
- The bovine oviduct possesses a sophisticated mucosal immune system that maintains an anti-inflammatory environment, crucial for sperm viability and fertilization under physiological conditions.
- Under pathological conditions, the oviduct can mount an innate immune response that may be detrimental to sperm.
- Oviduct-sperm interactions actively promote immune tolerance, ensuring sperm survival and enhancing the anti-inflammatory balance within the oviduct.
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