Characterization of epithelial cell culture from human hydrosalpinges and effects of its conditioned medium on embryo development and sperm motility

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported the negative impact of hydrosalpinx on IVF outcome. Toxic effects of hydrosalpinx fluid (HF) have been the main reason for the recommendation of functional surgery, salpingectomy, prior to IVF. The present study characterized hydrosalpinx epithelial cell culture and examined the effects of its conditioned medium (CM) on sperm motility, acrosome reaction and embryo development. METHODS: Normal Fallopian tubes (n = 6) and hydrosalpinges (n = 9) were used to prepare epithelial cell culture and CM. Epithelial cell characterization was confirmed using electron microscopy. Sperm motility and acrosome reaction were determined using computer-aided sperm analysis and acrobead assay respectively and embryo development by mouse embryo development assay. RESULTS: The percentage of human motile sperm incubated in hydrosalpinx CM was significantly different from those in normal Fallopian tube (NFT) CM and modified human tubal fluid medium (hTF) (control) (P < 0.05 at 3 h and P < 0.001 at 5 and 24 h), with alteration in movement characteristic, linearity, 24 h after incubation in hydrosalpinx CM (P < 0.05). However, other sperm movement characteristics remained unchanged. Reduced acrosome reaction and poor mouse embryo development were also observed in hydrosalpinx CM but not in NFT CM and hTF. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that hydrosalpinx epithelial cells may be producing a fluid milieu hostile to sperm and early embryo development. The established epithelial cell culture system may provide a model to further investigate the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of HF on embryo development and the adverse effects on IVF outcomes.