CBF changes in relation to the phase of ovarian cycle in guinea pig Fallopian tube: effects of estrogen and progesterone

Abstract

Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of Fallopian tube of guinea pig was measured using a light microscope connecting a high‐speed camera (500 Hz), CBFs ranged from 10 to 15 Hz in the phases of ovarian cycle. In follicular phase, CBF increased transiently; an increase at the beginning of estradiol (E2) rise (14 Hz) followed by a rapid decrease at the peak of E2 rise (10 Hz). In ovulatory and luteal phase (high progesterone), CBF was maintained 12 Hz. β‐Estradiol‐benzoate (βE2‐benz) and medroxy‐progesterone (m‐prog) dissolved in a steroid solution were administered subcutaneously for 1.5 ‐ 4 days. A high concentration of βE2‐benz administered (20 mg/day) decreased CBF (11 Hz), while a low concentration (2 mg/day) increased it (14.5 Hz), and these βE2‐benz actions were inhibited by an estrogen inhibitor (ICI 182,780, 2 mg/day). m‐Prog administered (2‐20 mg/day) maintained CBF approximately 12.5 Hz, which was abolished by a progesterone inhibitor (mifepristone, 50 mg/day). Ciliary cells of Fallopian tube were immuno‐positively stained for estrogen and progesterone receptors. The present study demonstrated that βE2‐benz accelerates CBF at a low concentration and suppresses it at a high concentration, and that progesterone maintains CBF around 12 Hz. CBF in Fallopian tube is regulated by estrogen and progesterone in relation to the ovarian cycle.