The effects of estradiol and progesterone therapy on rat uterine tube epithelium : transmission electron microscope study

Abstract EN

The uterine tubes are the female structures that transport the ova from the ovary to the uterus, beside their function in the transport the fertilized egg to the uterus for implantation.

Transmission electron microscope (TEM) study revealed that ciliated cells showed abundant elongated cilia in addition to the existence of mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum within their cytoplasm.

These findings were more evident in metestrousphase.

In the treated group ; T III and T II groups reveal very long and more abundant cilia, also the basal bodies of the cilia were enlarged and more obvious.

Moreover, some of the ciliated cells displayed cytoplasmicvacuole like structures (probably lipid droplets).

The secretory cells showed secretory granules of high electron dense homogenous matrix and they were more evident in metestrous phase.

While in the treated group, especially T III group ; the secretory granules strikingly abundant compared to that of control group, revealed highly electron dense matrix, different sizes and occupied the whole cytoplasm of the secretory cells.

In the control group cytoplasmic vacuoles were more evident in the metestrous phase.

While in the treated group, especially TIII, they appeared larger in size and seemed to be coalesced with each other.

Many secretory cells showed cytoplasm protrusion from their apices.

These cytoplasmic protrusions were more obvious in T III group.

The administration of progesterone which was preceded by estradiol was capable of producing complete differentiation and secretory function in the uterine tube epithelium, which may be due to the up-regulation of progesterone receptors by estradiol.