Microsurgical reversal of the artificially induced hydrosalpinx in the rabbit - morphological studies

Mechanical occlusion of the rabbit oviduct at 2 sites produces a hydrosalpinx which was found to be associated with a predictable degree of loss of cilia from the mucosal cells (deciliation). The morphological changes observed closely resemble the light and surface electron microscopic appearance of a human hydrosalpinx. Microsurgical reconstitution of the obstructed oviduct in oestrus rabbits produced almost complete reversal to normal mucosal morphology. This suggests that the morphological changes observed in the rabbit hydrosalpinx may be due to an increase in intraluminal pressure and that reduction of this pressure may effect a reversal to normal.