Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
Original article
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-12-03
Distribution of macrophages in the human fallopian tubes: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study
M.D. El-Din Safwat, F.A. Habib, N.Y. Oweiss
Folia Morphol 2008;67(1):43-52.
Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2012-02-06
Published online: 2007-12-03
Abstract
The fallopian tubes are essential for the normal transport of gametes, fertilisation
and early embryonic development and transport. Their locomotive force is
mainly due to the contractility of the smooth muscle cells, as well as to the
ciliary activity of the tubal epithelium. Steroid hormones such as oestradiol and
progesterone mediate changes in tubal morphology, in particular the tubal
epithelium. It is well known that macrophages participate in the immune system,
but recent studies have shown that they also play other roles under physiological
conditions. They are known to be a source of prostaglandins of the
E series, which influence the contractility of the uterine tube. Lymphocytes in
the tubal mucosa can be involved in the process of immune tolerance, which
could enable sperms and blastocysts to be transported through the oviduct
under normal conditions without the activation of local immune mechanisms.
Most of the evidence for mucosal immune responses in the female reproductive
tract is related to the vagina, with less information available for the uterus. The
less known segment in this regard is the oviduct, which prompted us to review
and summarise the current state of knowledge of the immune system at the
level of the human oviduct. The present study was therefore undertaken to
examine the distribution and morphological properties of macrophages in the
endosalpingeal stroma and smooth muscle layer of the human fallopian tubes.
Thirty fresh fallopian tubes were examined, taken at the proliferative (7 cases)
and secretory (12 cases) phases of the menstrual cycle, and during the postmenopausal
period (11 cases). Sections were stained by immunocytochemistry
with a primary antibody (CD 68) and were used for counting the macrophages.
Ultrathin sections were stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate and studied
by means of electron microscopy to asses the ultrastructure of the macrophages.
A significant difference was observed between reproductive and postmenopausal
women in the number of macrophages (p < 0.05). This study may help
to clarify the possible role of macrophages of the uterine tubes in some cases of
infertility in females.
(Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 43-52)
Abstract
The fallopian tubes are essential for the normal transport of gametes, fertilisation
and early embryonic development and transport. Their locomotive force is
mainly due to the contractility of the smooth muscle cells, as well as to the
ciliary activity of the tubal epithelium. Steroid hormones such as oestradiol and
progesterone mediate changes in tubal morphology, in particular the tubal
epithelium. It is well known that macrophages participate in the immune system,
but recent studies have shown that they also play other roles under physiological
conditions. They are known to be a source of prostaglandins of the
E series, which influence the contractility of the uterine tube. Lymphocytes in
the tubal mucosa can be involved in the process of immune tolerance, which
could enable sperms and blastocysts to be transported through the oviduct
under normal conditions without the activation of local immune mechanisms.
Most of the evidence for mucosal immune responses in the female reproductive
tract is related to the vagina, with less information available for the uterus. The
less known segment in this regard is the oviduct, which prompted us to review
and summarise the current state of knowledge of the immune system at the
level of the human oviduct. The present study was therefore undertaken to
examine the distribution and morphological properties of macrophages in the
endosalpingeal stroma and smooth muscle layer of the human fallopian tubes.
Thirty fresh fallopian tubes were examined, taken at the proliferative (7 cases)
and secretory (12 cases) phases of the menstrual cycle, and during the postmenopausal
period (11 cases). Sections were stained by immunocytochemistry
with a primary antibody (CD 68) and were used for counting the macrophages.
Ultrathin sections were stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate and studied
by means of electron microscopy to asses the ultrastructure of the macrophages.
A significant difference was observed between reproductive and postmenopausal
women in the number of macrophages (p < 0.05). This study may help
to clarify the possible role of macrophages of the uterine tubes in some cases of
infertility in females.
(Folia Morphol 2008; 67: 43-52)
Keywords
human; fallopian tube; macrophages
Title
Distribution of macrophages in the human fallopian tubes: an immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study
Journal
Folia Morphologica
Issue
Vol 67, No 1 (2008)
Article type
Original article
Pages
43-52
Published online
2007-12-03
Page views
499
Article views/downloads
1968
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2008;67(1):43-52.
Keywords
human
fallopian tube
macrophages
Authors
M.D. El-Din Safwat
F.A. Habib
N.Y. Oweiss