[Ultrastructural study on the epithelium of ligated oviducts in reproductive women]

The epithelium of normal and ligated oviducts in nine reproductive women was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed. The cilia of the epithelium were twisted and adhered on to the mucosa 0.5 cm from both the distal and proximal ends of the ligation scar. In the localized mucosa, the epithelial cells were irregular, and numerous microvilli and cilia were lost. However the microvilli and cilia of the epithelium were normal on mucosa 1.0 cm from the blocked oviducts. In the present experiment, oviductal stomata were reported on the epithelium of the hydrosalpinx for the first time. These oviductal stomata, located among some secretory cells, might be connected with the lymphatic capillaries of the oviducts. On the mucosa of the hydrosalpinx, numerous cilia were lost, and microvilli were abundant on the surface of the secretory cells. It might be possible that some secretory cells on the mucosa of the hydrosalpinx are evolved from ciliated cells. In addition, the pathogeny of the hydrosalpinx is discussed. This study shows: A) The transportation of the ovum is compromised due to damage to the cilia and microvilli of the oviductal epithelium, and this might be an important cause of continued infertility following reversal of sterilization; B) It is necessary to remove mucosa at least 0.5 cm from both the distal and proximal tubal segments of the ligation scar during the operation of end-to-end anastomosis; C) The oviductal stomata may be involved in draining hydrops from the hydrosalpinx.