Abstract
BackgroundThe present study was conducted to evaluate new methods to repair the reproductive function of the oviduct, thereby allowing gametes to combine and grow in vivo under natural circumstances.MethodsSixty pathogen-free female New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: a wild-type group, an untreated control group, and a treatment group. Disposable sterile newborn sputum suction tubes were inserted into the urogenital tract to instill an Escherichia coli suspension into the uterine cavity to establish the chronic salpingitis model. Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) or normal saline were used to treat this infection via different methods. The therapeutic effect was assessed by evaluating morphology, inflammatory factors, proteinology, and pregnancy outcomes.ResultsOviducts of New Zealand rabbits in the untreated control group showed structural failure and abnormal supermicrostructure of epithelial cells. WJMSCs could partially repair the structure and supermicrostructure of the tubal epithelium. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the untreated control group was significantly higher than that in the wild-type group (P = 0.015). The concentration of TNF-α in the local treatment group was significantly lower than that in the untreated control group (P = 0.011). The expression of oviductal glycoprotein (OVGP) and OVGP mRNA in the wild-type group was significantly higher than those in the untreated control group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.013, respectively). The litter size of the treatment group was 2 ± 2.39 kits, which was higher than that of the untreated control group (P = 0.035).ConclusionChronic inflammation can destroy the structure of the oviduct and the supermicrostructure of epithelial cells as well as leading to infertility. WJMSC transplantation therapy in rabbits with chronic salpingitis partially restored fertility. WJMSCs also repaired the structure of the tubal epithelium subjected to chronic inflammation, decreased the level of inflammatory factors, and partially restored the secretion level of OVGP.
Highlights
The present study was conducted to evaluate new methods to repair the reproductive function of the oviduct, thereby allowing gametes to combine and grow in vivo under natural circumstances
The results demonstrated that Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell (WJMSC) could decrease the serum level of inflammatory factors and restore the structure and function of the oviduct and recover fertility
Many secretion granules and mitochondria were observed in the secretory cells at 3700× in the wild-type group (n = 6). d Cilia and microvilli were abundant, and the cilia showed the typical 9 × 2 + 2 arrangement of microtubules at 23,000× in the wild-type group (n = 6). e Microvilli and cilia were sparse, and secretory granules decreased significantly at 2550× in the untreated control group (n = 10). f Incomplete cytomembranes, disappearing microvilli, and deciduous cilium were observed in some epithelial cells
Summary
The present study was conducted to evaluate new methods to repair the reproductive function of the oviduct, thereby allowing gametes to combine and grow in vivo under natural circumstances. Salpingitis and/or pelvic inflammation is one of the most important factors in tubal infertility. Severe salpingitis can damage the fallopian tube (FT) mucosa, and pelvic inflammation damages the structure of the oviduct, which might result in fimbria adhesion, distal tube obstruction, and hydrosalpinx [1]. It is necessary to determine new methods to repair the reproduction function of the oviduct, thereby allowing gametes to combine and grow in vivo under natural circumstances. The results demonstrated that WJMSCs could decrease the serum level of inflammatory factors and restore the structure and function of the oviduct and recover fertility
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