Natural Herbal Estrogen-Mimetics (Phytoestrogens) Promote the Differentiation of Fallopian Tube Epithelium into Multi-Ciliated Cells via Estrogen Receptor Beta.

Phytoestrogens are herbal polyphenolic compounds that exert various estrogen-like effects in animals and can be taken in easily from a foodstuff in daily life. The fallopian tube lumen, where transportation of the oocyte occurs, is lined with secretory cells and multi-ciliated epithelial cells. Recently, we showed that estrogen induces multi-ciliogenesis in the porcine fallopian tube epithelial cells (FTECs) through the activation of the estrogen receptor beta (ERß) pathway and simultaneous inhibition of the Notch pathway. Thus, ingested phytoestrogens may induce FTEC ciliogenesis and thereby affect the fecundity. To address this issue, we added isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, or glycitin) and coumestan (coumestrol) to primary culture FTECs under air-liquid interface conditions and assessed the effects of each compound. All phytoestrogens except glycitin induced multi-ciliated cell differentiation, which followed Notch signal downregulation. On the contrary, the differentiation of secretory cells decreased slightly. Furthermore, genistein and daidzein had a slight effect on the proportion of proliferating cells exhibited by Ki67 expression. Ciliated-cell differentiation is inhibited by the ERß antagonist, PHTPP. Thus, this study suggests that phytoestrogens can improve the fallopian tube epithelial sheet homeostasis by facilitating the genesis of multi-ciliated cells and this effect depends on the ERß-mediated pathway.

Combined chitosan and Dan-shen injection for long-term tubal patency in fallopian tube recanalization for infertility.

To prospectively study the efficacy of different anti-adhesion agents for the prevention of tubal obstruction after recanalization, this trial was approved by our hospital ethics committee. Four hundred patients with fallopian tube obstruction were randomly assigned to four groups. The control group underwent recanalization alone, whereas the other groups were injected with chitosan, Dan-shen, or combined chitosan and Dan-shen after recanalization. The tubal patency rate in all four groups was recorded after 12 day, 3 months, and 12 months. The pregnancy rates were noted after 12 months. The recanalization rates after 1 day in the control, chitosan, Dan-shen, and combined chitosan and Dan-shen groups were 94.1, 97.1, 96.5, and 98.2%, respectively (p = 0.18, p > 0.05). The rates of tubal patency after 3 months were significantly higher in the combined chitosan and Dan-shen (96.5%), chitosan (88%), and Dan-shen (85.2%) groups compared with the control group (73.9%) (p = 0.0001, p < 0.05). The recanalization rate and intrauterine pregnancy rate after 12 months was significantly higher in the combined chitosan and Dan-shen group (93.8 and 63.9%, respectively) compared with the other groups (control 39 and 30.6%, chitosan 78.4 and 46.9%, and Dan-shen 77.3 and 43.3%) (p = 0.0029 and p = 0.0001, p < 0.05). Chitosan, Dan-shen, or a combination of the two compounds could be effective for preventing tubal obstruction after interventional recanalization, possibly increasing the rate of pregnancy in affected women. The combined chitosan and Dan-shen injection has unique advantages in the interventional recanalization of obstructed fallopian tubes.

Natural and environmental oestrogens induce TGFB1 synthesis in oviduct cells.

Autocrine/paracrine factors generated in response to 17ß-oestradiol (E2), within the oviduct, facilitate early embryo development for implantation. Since transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) plays a key role in embryo implantation, regulation of its synthesis by E2 may be of biological/pathophysiological relevance. Here, we investigated whether oviduct cells synthesize TGFB1 and whether E2 and environmental oestrogens (EOEs; xenoestrogens and phytoestrogens) modulate its synthesis. Under basal conditions, bovine oviduct cells (OCs; oviduct epithelial cells and oviduct fibroblasts; 1:1 ratio) synthesized TGFB1. E2 concentration-dependent induced TGFB1 levels in OCs and these effects were mimicked by some, but not all EOEs (genistein, biochanin A and 4-hydroxy-2',4',6'-trichlorobiphenyl, 4-hydroxy-2',4',6'-dichlorobiphenyl); moreover, EOEs enhanced (P < 0.05) the stimulatory effects of E2 on TGFB1 synthesis. The OCs expressed oestrogen receptors alpha and beta and aryl hydrocarbon; moreover, co-treatment with ER antagonist ICI182780 blocked the stimulatory effects of E2 and EOEs on TGFB1 synthesis. Treatment with non-permeable E2-BSA failed to induce TGFB1, thereby ruling out the involvement of membrane ERs. Cycloheximide (protein synthesis inhibitor) blocked E2-induced TGFB1 synthesis providing evidence for de novo synthesis. The stimulatory effects of E2 and EOEs, were inhibited (P < 0.05) by MAPK inhibitor (PD98059), whereas intracellular-Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA-AM) and adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (SQ22536) abrogated the effects of E2, but not EOEs, suggesting that post-ER effects of E2 and EOEs involve different pathways. Our results provide the first evidence that in OCs, E2 and EOEs stimulate TGFB1 synthesis via an ER-dependent pathway. Exposure of the oviduct to EOEs may result in continuous/sustained induction of TGFB1 levels in a non-cyclic fashion and may induce deleterious effects on reproduction.

Effects of Potentilla fulgens on tuba uterina in ovariectomized rats / Efectos de Potentilla fulgens en la tuba uterina de ratas ovariectomizadas

A total of 32 Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups: (I) sham, (II) ischemia, (III) reperfusion and (IV) Potentilla fulgens. In groups I and II, ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group III, 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. Group IV received 400 mg/kg/day Potentilla fulgens intraperitoneally 5 days before Ischemia-reperfusion. All the parameters were observed to be significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all the experimental groups compared to the control group. In the sections of the ischemia-reperfusion group, degeneration of epithelium, dilation of blood vessels were observed. Potentilla fulgens administration reduced the morphological changes by induced I/R; in particular, infiltration, hemorrhage and vascular dilatation were decreased. Potentilla fulgens application during torsion, it plays an important role in maintaining the epithelial structure with E-cadherin expression. We suggest that PECAM-1(CD31) are a regulator of the microvascular response of the tubal mucosa.

Un total de 32 ratas Wistar fueron divididas en cuatro grupos: (I) Sham, (II) isquemia, (III) reperfusión y (IV) Potentilla fulgens. En los grupos I y II, no se realizó la torsión de ovario y ni se administró ningún tipo de fármaco. En el grupo III, se produjo isquemia por 1 h seguido de reperfusión por 2 h (I/R), sin administracion de fármacos. El grupo IV recibió 400 mg/kg por día de Potentilla fulgens vía intraperitoneal durante cinco días previo al protocolo de isquemia-reperfusión. Se observó que todos los parámetros disminuyeron significativamente (P <0,05) en todos los grupos experimentales en comparación con el grupo control. En las secciones del grupo de isquemia-reperfusión, se observó degeneración del epitelio y dilatación de los vasos sanguíneos. La administración de Potentilla fulgens reduce los cambios morfológicos inducidos por I/R; en particular, la infiltración, la hemorragia y la dilatación vascular. La aplicación de Potentilla fulgens durante la torsión, desempeña un papel importante en el mantenimiento de la estructura epitelial con la expresión de E-cadherina. Sugerimos que PECAM-1 (CD31) es un regulador de la respuesta microvascular de la mucosa tubárica.

Blockade of tubal patency following transcervical administration of polidocanol foam: initial studies in rhesus macaques.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility of polidocanol foam (PF) as a nonsurgical method of female permanent contraception using a nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN: Four groups of adult female rhesus macaques underwent either transcervical treatment with 5% PF directly into the uterine cavity, treatment with inert (methylcellulose, MF) foam or no treatment followed by removal of the reproductive tract for histologic evaluation. Untreated animals were included in Group 1 (n=3). Group 2 animals (n=4) were treated once with MF. Group 3 (n=7) received a single, and Group 4 (n=5) received multiple monthly treatments with PF; in these 2 groups, baseline tubal patency was assessed either laparoscopically by chromopertubation (CP) or by hysterosalpingography. RESULTS: Group 1 (untreated) and Group 2 (MF) animals had normal tubal histology. In contrast, Group 3 and 4 females treated with PF showed evidence of tubal damage. In Group 4, bilateral tubal blockade was noted on CP after two (n=2) or three (n=3) treatments. Histologic analysis confirmed complete tubal occlusion (loss of epithelium, fibrosis) in three of these animals, and one showed significant tubal damage localized to the intramural segment. Nontarget (cervix, vagina, endometrium, ovary) reproductive tissues were unaffected. While similar tubal changes were observed after a single treatment (Group 3), endometrial hemorrhage was also noted as an acute change. CONCLUSION: PF is a promising candidate agent for nonsurgical permanent female contraception. The histologic features of PF occlusion are confined to the intramural portion of the tube. IMPLICATIONS: This study in rhesus macaques supports further development of transcervical administration of PF as a nonsurgical approach to permanent contraception. A nonsurgical method could reduce risks and costs associated with surgical female sterilization and increase access to permanent contraception.

Neonatal diethylstilbestrol exposure disrupts female reproductive tract structure/function via both direct and indirect mechanisms in the hamster.

We assessed neonatal diethylstilbestrol (DES)-induced disruption at various endocrine levels in the hamster. In particular, we used organ transplantation into the hamster cheek pouch to determine whether abnormalities observed in the post-pubertal ovary are due to: (a) a direct (early) mechanism or (b) an indirect (late) mechanism that involves altered development and function of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary. Of the various disruption endpoints and attributes assessed: (1) some were consistent with the direct mechanism (altered uterine and cervical dimensions/organization, ovarian polyovular follicles, vaginal hypospadius, endometrial hyperplasia/dysplasia); (2) some were consistent with the indirect mechanism (ovarian/oviductal salpingitis, cystic ovarian follicles); (3) some were consistent with a combination of the direct and indirect mechanisms (altered endocrine status); and (4) the mechanism(s) for one (lack of corpora lutea) was uncertain. This study also generated some surprising observations regarding vaginal estrous assessments as a means to monitor periodicity of ovarian function in the hamster.

Protective effect of calcium folinate against methotrexate-induced endosalpinx damage in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of calcium folinate (CF) applied in 10% of the methotrexate (MTX) dosage against morphologic and steroid-receptor damage induced by MTX in rat endosalpinx. The result indicated that endosalpingitis, the ultrastructural damage of endosalpinx, and a change in estrogen and P receptor expression induced by low- and high-dose MTX in endosalpinx can be reversed completely and partly (B1, B2) by combined treatment with CF, suggesting that CF combined with MTX protects against the side effects induced by MTX.

[Effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on Chlamydia trachomatis mice of salpingitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis salpingitis (CTS) and fibrosis. METHOD: A mouse model for CTS was estahlished in C3H/He by intravaginal inoculation. after 3 weeks mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. Only Azithromyxin was given orally, Azithromyxin and early S. miltiorrhiza given, or Azithromyxin and later S. miltiorrhiza given. After 10 weeks, observe the change of oviduct of mice, observe the histopathologic change and analysis collagen histochemical index. RESULT: 3 Treatment groups induce tubal occlusion and hydrosalpinx decreased and the collagen histochemical index decreased significantly than those of no treatment given (P < 0.05). Early S. miltiorrhiza given group induce tubal occlusion and hydrosalpinx decreased and the collagen histochemical index decreased significantly than only Azithromyxin group or later S. miltiorrhiza given group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: When we treat CTS genital infection with Azithromyxin, if we can give S. miltiorrhiza treatment as early as possible, it may decrease tubal occlusion and hydrosalpinx. significantly inhibit fibrosis maybe one of its pharmacologic mechanismin.

Immediate and residual effects of tamoxifen and ethynylestradiol in the female rat hypothalamus.

Very little is known about the impact of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on the brain. We examined the effects of tamoxifen (TAMOX) and the synthetic estrogen 17alpha-ethynylestradiol (EE) on estrogen-dependent gene expression and receptor binding in the female rat brain. Both immediate and residual effects were examined in both the presence and absence of 17beta-estradiol. Two groups of adult, ovariectomized, female rats (n=30 per group) were injected with TAMOX (5 mg/kg), EE (0.1 mg/kg), or sesame oil daily for 14 days. Animals from the first group were implanted with blank or 17beta-estradiol Silastic capsules concurrently with the last three SERM injections (immediate, group 1). Animals from the second group received either blank or 17beta-estradiol implants 2 weeks after the last injection (residual, group 2). All animals were sacrificed 72 h after implantation. TAMOX increased uterine weight in the absence of estrogen, but inhibited uterine weight gain in the presence of estrogen in both groups 1 and 2. TAMOX and EE increased oxytocin receptor binding in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) in the absence of estrogen in both groups 1 and 2. The estrogen-dependent induction of PR mRNA expression in the VMN was significantly attenuated by TAMOX in group 1. Finally, TAMOX and EE had opposite effects on ERbeta mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus in the absence of 17beta-estradiol in group 1. Neither had any effect in group 2 when 17beta-estradiol was present. These results suggest that TAMOX has mixed agonist/antagonist effects in the female rat brain, many of which persist at least 2 weeks after the administration ceases.

A randomized controlled trial of tubal flushing with lipiodol for unexplained infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that, in couples with unexplained infertility, tubal flushing with an oil-soluble media (lipiodol) would increase the pregnancy rate within 6 months compared with expectant management. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled study in which couples were allocated to either a single treatment with lipiodol or no further action. SETTING: Two tertiary referral centers for assisted reproduction. PATIENT(S): Couples with a diagnosis of primary or secondary unexplained infertility based on a normal semen analysis according to World Health Organization criteria, patent fallopian tubes at hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy, and ovulatory menstrual cycles based on midluteal phase progesterone levels or ultrasonic follicle tracking. INTERVENTION(S): In those patients randomized to lipiodol, a single treatment was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Biochemical (i.e., positive pregnancy test) and clinical (i.e., fetal heart on ultrasound scan) pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): Seventeen couples were randomized to lipiodol and 17 to expectant treatment. The higher pregnancy rate after lipiodol was statistically significant. There were no complications after lipiodol treatment. CONCLUSION(S): There was a statistically significantly higher pregnancy rate in couples with unexplained infertility randomized to a single tubal flush with lipiodol compared with no treatment.

Uterine adenocarcinoma in mice treated neonatally with genistein.

The developing fetus is uniquely sensitive to perturbation with estrogenic chemicals. The carcinogenic effect of prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) is the classic example. Because phytoestrogen use in nutritional and pharmaceutical applications for infants and children is increasing, we investigated the carcinogenic potential of genistein, a naturally occurring plant estrogen in soy, in an experimental animal model previously reported to result in a high incidence of uterine adenocarcinoma after neonatal DES exposure. Outbred female CD-1 mice were treated on days 1-5 with equivalent estrogenic doses of DES (0.001 mg/kg/day) or genistein (50 mg/kg/day). At 18 months, the incidence of uterine adenocarcinoma was 35% for genistein and 31% for DES. These data suggest that genistein is carcinogenic if exposure occurs during critical periods of differentiation. Thus, the use of soy-based infant formulas in the absence of medical necessity and the marketing of soy products designed to appeal to children should be closely examined.

Xeno-oestrogens and phyto-oestrogens induce the synthesis of leukaemia inhibitory factor by human and bovine oviduct cells.

In bovine oviduct cells 17beta-oestradiol can induce the synthesis of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), a glycoprotein essential for embryo implantation. Therefore substances which are structurally similar to 17beta-oestradiol and possess oestrogenic activity may also modulate LIF synthesis and influence the reproductive process. We used primary cultures of bovine and human oviduct cells (epithelial cells:fibroblasts 1:1) to compare the effects of 17beta-oestradiol, phyto-oestrogens (genistein, biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, and equol) and xeno-oestrogens [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB): trichlorobiphenyl, 4-hydroxy-trichlorobiphenyl and 4-hydroxy-dichlorobiphenyl] on LIF synthesis. Immunoreactive LIF-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the concentration of LIF in the culture medium. Similar to 17beta-oestradiol, genistein (0.02-2 micromol/l) induced LIF synthesis in bovine oviduct cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Equol, biochanin A and daidzein (2 micromol/l), 4-hydroxy-trichlorobiphenyl and 4-hydroxy-dichlorobiphenyl (0.01-10 micromol/l) but not formononetin (2 micromol/l) also induced LIF synthesis in bovine cells. Phyto-oestrogens and xeno-oestrogens also induced LIF synthesis in human oviduct cells (P < 0.05). The stimulatory effects of PCB, phyto-oestrogens and 17beta-oestradiol were blocked by ICI 182,780 (1 micromol/l). Moreover, 17beta-oestradiol, 4-hydroxy-trichlorobiphenyl, 4-hydroxy-dichlorobiphenyl, genistein, tamoxifen and ICI 182,780 displaced [(3)H]17beta-oestradiol from cytosolic oestrogen receptors in bovine oviduct cells. These results suggest that phyto-oestrogens and PCB mimic the effects of oestradiol in inducing LIF synthesis by bovine and human oviduct cells and that these stimulatory effects are oestrogen receptor-mediated. Environmental oestrogens act as endocrine modulators/disrupters and may induce deleterious effects on the reproductive process by influencing LIF synthesis in a non-cyclic fashion leading to tubal infertility.

Differential intracellular efficacies of ciprofloxacin and cefixime against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in human fallopian tube organ culture.

This study compared the abilities of ciprofloxacin and cefixime to kill intracellular Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a human fallopian tube organ culture assay. When invasion was inhibited by cytochalasin D, 0.996% of the tissue-associated gonococci survived ciprofloxacin exposure compared to 1.70% of gonococci exposed to cefixime (95% confidence interval for the ratio of the means, 0.267 to 1.30), indicating that the two antibiotics did not significantly differ in the ability to kill extracellular attached organisms. In the absence of cytochalasin D, 1.63% survived ciprofloxacin exposure while 9.76% survived cefixime treatment (95% confidence interval for the ratio of the means, 0.067 to 0.418). These results suggest that ciprofloxacin penetrated epithelial cells and killed intracellular gonococci better than did cefixime. Thus, at concentrations achievable in serum, ciprofloxacin was more effective in total gonococcal killing than cefixime in this human fallopian tube organ culture model.

Perifusion culture system for bovine embryos: improvement of embryo development by use of bovine oviduct epithelial cells, an antioxidant and polyvinyl alcohol.

Three experiments were conducted in an attempt to improve a continuous flow-perifusion system capable of maintaining embryo development for long periods of time. Bovine embryos (8-16 cells) obtained from static co-culture with cumulus cells in a serum-free medium were perifused in an ACUSYST-S cell culture incubator. Culture chambers of the incubator consisted of a 0.2-mL unit (Chamber 1) connected to a 1.5-mL unit (Chamber 2), with the outflow from Chamber 1 routed to the inlet to Chamber 2. A bovine embryo culture medium supplemented with 3 mg mL-1 bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 25 mM HEPES was used as a perifusion culture medium (PCM). Embryos were perifused in Chamber 2 for 24, 48 and 72 h and further co-cultured in a static system up to 216 h after insemination. In Experiment 1, conditioning PCM with frozen-thawed bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) placed in Chamber 1 enhanced (P < 0.05) blastocyst formation of embryos in Chamber 2, after 24, 48 and 72 h of perifusion culture. The proportion of blastocysts was not further increased by placing BOEC in Chamber 2 along with the embryos. In Experiment 2, embryos were perifused with PCM conditioned with BOEC in Chamber 1 for 48 h or 72 h. A higher proportion of perifused embryos developed to the blastocyst stage after addition of 25 U mL-1 or 50 U mL-1 of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to PCM than in its absence. However, blastocyst formation of embryos perifused for 72 h was not increased after addition of 50 U mL-1 SOD compared with its absence. In Experiment 3, the proportions of morulae and blastocysts were not decreased by replacement of 3 mg mL-1 BSA with 1 mg mL-1 polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) in a BOEC-conditioned medium containing 50 U mL-1 SOD after perifusion for 48 h. In conclusion, PCM conditioning with BOEC and addition of an antioxidant to the perifusion medium improved the developmental capacity of perifused embryos. PVA is an adequate replacement for BSA in the perifusion medium.

Effect of estrogen on egg production, shell quality and calcium metabolism in molted hens.

Force-molted White Leghorn laying hens were implanted with 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 3 Compudose 200 pellets (24 mg 17 beta estradiol/pellet). Plasma estradiol increased with increasing E2 dosages in a linear manner and decreased over time in a quadratic manner (P < 0.01). E2 treatment had a nonlinear effect on total plasma calcium. Oviduct weight, shell thickness and egg weight were not significantly affected by exogenous estradiol whereas tibial bone ash percentage was increased at only one dose (P < 0.05:0.5 pellet group). Physiological supplementation with estradiol does not improve shell quality.

Effects of an oil contrast medium on fertilization in the oviduct in rabbits.

The influence of an oil contrast medium on fertilization in rabbit oviducts was investigated. The oil contrast medium (Lipiodol-UF) was injected into the catheterized oviducts of anaesthetized animals, and they were mated 1, 3, 5 or 7 days later. When mating took place 1 day after injection, none of the ova that were subsequently recovered were fertilized; the fertilization rates when mating occurred 3, 5 or 7 days after injection of the medium were 78.9, 90 and 100%. Fertilization within the oviduct was, thus, impaired by the injection of oil contrast medium, but appeared to be fully recovered 7 days later.

Prolactin heterogeneity: a limitation on the evaluation of results from prolactin assays due to differences in immunoassays and the different bioactivities of prolactin forms.

Prolactin exists in biological fluids in several molecular forms. This raises two questions: (1) whether the assay of prolactin by immunotechniques is valid and reliable and (2) whether the different forms have different physiological roles, which might be exploited to improve diagnostic accuracy and data interpretation by the use of appropriate methods. To investigate these questions, prolactin from human amniotic fluid was separated, by concanavalin A-Sepharose affinity chromatography, into bound, retarded and unbound fractions (bound prolactin fraction, retarded prolactin fraction, unbound prolactin fraction), which were characterized by electrophoresis, immunoblotting and glycan detection blot. Virtually no contamination was found in the bound prolactin fraction, and the unbound prolactin fraction and retarded prolactin fraction were 74-83% pure according to densitometry of the electrophoretic and immunoblot patterns. High variability was found among the individual patterns. Glycan detection in the blotted fractions revealed that the bound prolactin fraction bands corresponding to M(r)25,000-29,000 were weakly glycolysated, whereas the bands of M(r)60,000-64,000 were significantly glycan-positive. Immunoreactive bands of unbound prolactin fraction and retarded prolactin fraction also stained positively for glycans. Using two commercial prolactin kits, the bound prolactin fraction forms were virtually undetectable. To demonstrate that the prolactin forms may depend on the hypothalamic state, two behaviourly different breeds of cattle were used as an animal model for studying hypothalamic activities. The number of immunoreactive bands, representing the prolactin forms, and the change of the forms in response to thyroliberin differed strikingly among the groups. The bioactivity of the forms was examined in bovine granulosa, oviductal, endometrial and spleen cells, and in murine splenocytes, the latter being activated by concanavalin A or allogeneically to create in vitro conditions that may have relevance for situations in vivo. The rate of incorporation of [3H]thymidine in murine splenocytes was dose-dependently enhanced only by bound prolactin fraction. The increase was abolished by purified anti-prolactin antiserum. However, the standard prolactin from the kits inhibited the proliferation even in low dose (1.25 microgram/l) and the inhibition was abolished in part by bound prolactin fraction. Thymidine incorporation into the bovine cells was significantly increased by low concentrations (2 micrograms/l) of unbound prolactin fraction and retarded prolactin fraction. Oviduct epithelial cells and splenocytes were stimulated by unbound prolactin fraction but not by retarded prolactin fraction in a dose of 16 micrograms/l. Thymidine incorporation into granulosa cells was inhibited by retarded prolactin fraction (16 micrograms/l) but not by unbound prolactin fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of methotrexate on rabbit oviducts and on cell cultures of bovine oviduct epithelium.

The influence of a local injection of 0.05 ml/kg weight of 8 mg/ml methotrexate (MTX) was evaluated in 6 rabbit oviducts and compared with saline injections to the contralateral oviducts. Cell cultures of bovine oviducts were incubated in vitro for 7 days and then incubated for 24 h with 100-nmol MTX. Forty-eight and 72 h following the exposure to MTX, the treated and control cultures were harvested. Specimens and cultures were examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. In the in vivo cohort, no differences were observed between MTX and control groups. However, in MTX-treated cell culture, ciliated cells demonstrated partially adherent cilia in about 30% of the cells. The effect of MTX observed only in vitro treated cells may be due to the rapid proliferation of epithelial cells in culture which does not represent the physiological role of the oviduct in vivo.

Selective injection of contrast media: inflammatory effects on rabbit fallopian tubes.

The inflammatory effects of fallopian tube catheterization and selective injection of seven contrast agents (ethiodized oil, diatrizoate meglumine 52%, diatrizoate meglumine 66%, iothalamate meglumine 60%, iopamidol, ioxitol, and ioxaglate) were evaluated in 88 rabbits. The contrast agent used was randomly selected and selectively injected after unilateral catheterization; the contralateral side was used for control. Pathologic inspection of right and left uteri with attached fallopian tubes and ovaries was done without knowledge of side of catheterization or duration of time since catheterization. The degree and location of inflammation were noted. Inflammation disappeared by 4 days in five of seven contrast agents. Iothalamate meglumine 60% and iopamidol required 2 weeks for disappearance of inflammation. Essentially no inflammation was associated at any time with ioxaglate. These findings suggest that all of these contrast agents would be clinically acceptable for direct injection into the human fallopian tube.