The effect of ovarian steroids on epithelial ciliary beat frequency in the human Fallopian tube

Using a method that detects variations in light intensity we have studied the effect of ovarian steroids on human Fallopian tube epithelial ciliary beat frequency in vitro. We have found that baseline ciliary beat frequency averages between 5-6 Hz. Cilia from ampullary segments of the Fallopian tube beat significantly faster (5.4 Hz+/-0.2) than those from fimbrial segments (4.8 Hz+/-0.2). There was no significant difference in baseline ciliary beat frequency at any other anatomical site in the Fallopian tube. Incubation with progesterone (10 micromol/l) suppresses human Fallopian tube epithelial ciliary beat frequency by 40-50%. This inhibition was observed at similar magnitudes in all Fallopian tubes studied irrespective of anatomical site. Progesterone-induced reductions in ciliary beat frequency were concentration dependent and prevented by the progesterone receptor antagonist mifepristone (RU486). Oestradiol alone (10 micromol/l) had no effect on ciliary beat frequency at any anatomical site in the Fallopian tube but did prevent the reduction in ciliary beat frequency seen with progesterone when tissues were incubated with these two steroids together.      

Renin–angiotensin systems and reproduction

Calcium and vitamin D supplementation have been shown to reduce secondary hyperparathyroidism and play a role in age-related osteoporosis. In order to define the optimal regimen of calcium and vitamin D supplementation to produce the maximal inhibition of parathyroid hormone secretion ,we compared the administration of a calcium-vitamin D supplement as a single morning dose with the administration of two divided doses at 6-hour intervals. Twelve healthy male volunteers were assigned to three investigational procedures ,which were alternated at weekly intervals. After a 'blank' control procedure ,when they were not exposed to any supplements ,they received one of two calcium-vitamin D supplement regimens: either two doses of Orocal^® D3 (500 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D3) with a 6-hour interval between doses ,or one water-soluble effervescent powder pack of Cacit^® vitamin D3 ,taken in the morning (1000 mg calcium and 880 IU vitamin D3). During the three procedures (control and the two calcium-vitamin D supplementation protocols) ,veinous blood was drawn every 60 minutes for up to 9 hours ,for serum calcium and parathyroid hormone measurements. The order of administration of the two calcium and vitamin D supplementation regimens was allocated by randomization. No significant changes in serum calcium were observed during the study. During the first 6 hours following calcium-vitamin D supplementation ,a statistically significant decrease in serum parathyroid hormone was observed with both regimens ,compared with baseline and the control procedure. During this first period ,no differences were observed between the two treatment regimens. However ,between the 6th and the 9th hour ,serum parathyroid hormone levels remained significantly decreased compared to baseline with the twice-daily Orocal D3 administration ,while they returned to baseline values with the once-daily Cacit D3 preparation. During this period ,the percentage decrease in serum parathyroid hormone relative to baseline was significantly greater with Orocal D3 than Cacit D3 (p = 0.0021). We therefore conclude that the twice-daily administration of 500 mg calcium and 400 IU vitamin D3 at 6-hour intervals provides a more prolonged decrease in serum parathyroid hormone levels than the administration of the same total amount of calcium and vitamin D ,as a single morning dose in young healthy volunteers. These results might have implications in terms of protection of the skeleton against secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased bone resorption and turnover in elderly subjects.     

Salpingoscopic findings in women undergoing sterilization.

We report the results of a prospective study carried out to investigate the appearance of the Fallopian tube lumen in 30 apparently normal women with a normal reproductive career, patient Fallopian tubes and a normal pelvic appearance at laparoscopy. The salpingoscopic appearance of the ampulla and fimbria of both Fallopian tubes was normal in 20 women. Amongst the other 10 women there were intratubal adhesions (n = 2), fronds attached to mucosal folds (n = 4), irregular blood vessels in mucosal folds (n = 2), unusual mucosal folds (n = 3) and black 'spots' within mucosal folds (n = 3). In three women who underwent salpingoscopy during the preovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle, the mucosal fold edges appeared rounded and contained blood vessels with brightly reflective walls. Our findings suggest that there is variation in the endoscopic appearance of the tubal lumen in women with a normal reproductive career. Some of these findings may be perceived to be tubal pathology causing subfertility.     

Fallopian tube ciliary beat frequency in relation to the stage of menstrual cycle and anatomical site

BACKGROUND: The cyclical changes in ciliary structure and motion within the human Fallopian tube are well documented. Previous investigators have studied ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in relation to menstrual cycle and anatomical site, but with conflicting results. METHODS: Using a technique that records variations in light intensity, we have studied the changes in CBF in relation to the menstrual cycle and anatomical site. Fallopian tubes were collected from 26 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign conditions. Menstrual history, hormone profile and endometrial biopsy results were used to determine the stage of the cycle. Fourteen women were in the proliferative phase, and 12 women in the secretory phase. RESULTS: Mean CBF for all subjects was 5.3 plus minus 0.2 Hz. There was no significant difference in CBF in relation to anatomical site. In the fimbrial region the ciliary beat was faster in the secretory (5.8 plus minus 0.3 Hz) as compared with the proliferative phase (4.9 plus minus 0.2 Hz), P < 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible that this increase in fimbrial CBF may contribute to ovum retrieval and transport after ovulation. However, the reproductive significance of the changes in CBF in relation to the menstrual cycle needs further investigation.     

The effect of cAMP on ion transport in Fallopian tube epithelial cells in vitro

The coupled movement of ions and water across epithelia determines the composition and volume of fluid present in the lumen of organs. The second messenger cAMP is important in effecting electrolyte and water transport in many transporting epithelia; however, its role in Fallopian tube transport is uncertain. We have conducted electrophysiological studies on Fallopian tube epithelial cell monolayers in Ussing chambers and have demonstrated that exogenously added cAMP and agents that generate its intracellular production results in an increase in short-circuit current consistent with the transport of net electrical charge from a basal to mucosal direction. In contrast to the known effects of ATP in this tissue, the increase in short-circuit current was not explicable in terms of electrogenic chloride secretion as it was not affected by the chloride channel inhibitors, 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulphonic acid 1 mmol/l (SITS) and frusemide. Instead the current was reduced by the sodium channel inhibitor, amiloride, and was therefore, in part, explicable in terms of electrogenic Na+ absorption. These findings will enhance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms responsible for human Fallopian tubal fluid formation and composition.     

Placental protein 14 production by human Fallopian tube epithelial cells in vitro

We studied the in-vitro secretory function of non-polarized and polarized cultured Fallopian tube epithelial cells by measurement of the placental protein 14 (PP14) secretion in primary cultures and subcultures from Fallopian tubes obtained from eight premenopausal women in different phases of the ovarian cycle. Primary cultures were established in minimal essential medium in Earle's salts supplemented with fetal bovine serum and the cells were subcultured for six passages, in the polarized cell cultures, the cells being seeded on an extracellular matrix system. Cell freezing was carried out using 10% dimethyl sulphoxide. PP14 secretion into the culture media was measured by a radioimmunoassay using 125I-PP14 as label and rabbit anti-human PP14 serum. There was a large amount of PP14 secretion into the culture media in primary cultures, the secretion decreasing considerably after subculture 1. PP14 secretion after subculture 2 was not different from the control values. Polarized and non-polarized cells secreted similar amounts of PP14 and frozen-thawed cells did not appear to secrete PP14. Epithelial cells from Fallopian tubes obtained at different phases of the ovarian cycle did not appear to show any difference in PP14 secretion rates. Our data suggest that the in-vitro secretion of PP14 by human Fallopian tube epithelial cells is adversely affected by cell ageing and freezing.