Electron microscopic study of the oviduct epithelium of the rabbit: normal structure and modifications in 4 weeks...

The ultrastructure of the oviduct epithelium in its ampullary portion has been examined in 10 rabbits. As normal control material we used microbiopsies of tubal mucosa, taken before ligature of the oviduct. The experimental material consisted of microbiopsies of tubal mucosa, taken in the same animals, 4 weeks after ligature of the oviduct and subsequent induction of hydrosalpinx. The main morphological alteration of the epithelium in hydrosalpinx consisted of absence of cilia in certain areas and presence of vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the ciliated cells. The secretory cells showed an increased number of granules in their cytoplasm. These observations suggest that 4 weeks after ligature of the oviduct the destruction of cilia and the increase of secretions may cause an impairment in the ovum transport through the oviduct.