Regulation and Function of the Human Fallopian Tube
Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The Fallopian tube is essential for human reproduction. Transport of the \nspermatozoa, the egg, and later the pre-embryo is believed to be aided by \nmuscular contractions in the wall of the Fallopian tube and cilia in the \nmucosa. An optimal environment in the Fallopian tube is of importance for \nfertilization of the egg and development of the pre-embryo. Progesterone \n(P) and prostaglandins (PG) are important regulators of reproductive \nprocesses. Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) is an important cytokine \ninvolved in embryo development and endometrialreceptivity. The function \nof the Fallopian tube and its correlation to fertility is still not fully \ninvestigated. \n \n \n \nThe aims of the studies were to investigate (i) the uptake of \nintra-abdominal particles into the Fallopian tube, (ii) the transport of \nparticles from the pouch of Douglas to the cervical mucus, (iii) the \neffect of hormones on the muscular contractions in the Fallopian tube, \n(iv) the presence of receptors for PGE2 and PGF2alpha in the human \nFallopian tube and how they are regulated by hormones, and (v) the \npresence of receptors for LIF and gp130, and their regulation by P in the \nhuman Fallopian tube and the endometrium, as well as their localization \nin the pre-implantation embryo. \n \n \n \nHealthy volunteers and patients undergoing surgery for benign causes or \nlegal sterilization were included in the studies. All subjects were of \nfertile age and had regular menstrual cycles. Using gamma camera imaging \nand autoradiography we found evidence for uptake of radio labelled \nparticles in the Fallopian tube after intra abdominal deposition. \nIn-vitro contractility studies of longitudinal strips of the Fallopian \ntube showed different effects of hormones and drugs on muscular \ncontractions. P, mifepristone, PGE1, levonorgestrel, human chorionic \ngonadotrophin (hCG), and oxytocin decreased, whereas PGF2 and PGE2 \nincreased the contractions. \n \n \n \nImmunohistochemistry (IHC), confocal microscopy, reverse transcriptase \nPCR, and real time PCR were used to detect and confirm the expression of \nPGE and PGF2alpha receptors, and c-kit in the Fallopian tube. The PG \nreceptors were mainly expressed in the apical part of the luminal \nepithelial cells, in the muscular wall, and in the vessels. Treatment \nwith mifepristone reduced the staining. IHC showed staining of LIF \nreceptor (LIFR) and gp130 protein in the Fallopian tube, the endometrium, \nand pre-implantation embryos. LIFR was mainly seen in the apical and \nbasolateral parts of the luminal epithelial cells, in the muscular wall, \nand vessels. The staining for gp130 was weak. Real time PCR showed \nexpression of mRNA for LIFR and gp130 in the Fallopian tube and the \nendometrium. In the pre-implantation embryo, LIFR staining was seen in \nall cells, at all stages. Gp130 was present in all cells up to the morula \nstage, but only in the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. \n \n \n \nIn conclusion: Uptake of particles in the Fallopian tube suggests a \nretrograde transport mechanism. Muscular contractions in the Fallopian \ntube are regulated by PG and P. PG receptors are expressed in the human \nFallopian tube and regulated by P. LIFR and gp130 are expressed in the \nhuman Fallopian tube, the endometrium, and the pre-implantation embryo. \nThe pattern of LIFR expression indicates that LIFR is likely to be of \nimportance for communication between the embryo and the Fallopian tube.
Source: Figshare
Author: Kjell Wånggren
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2106674880