On the lympho-epithelial relationships in the human oviduct.

In order to study the lympho-epithelial relationships in human oviducts, lymphocytes situated in the epithelium were counted and the values found were correlated with differing physiological and pathological changes. In this process the following observations were made: 1. In the secretory phase there are significantly more lymphocytes to be found in the epithelium than during the proliferative phase. 2. In nonspecific purulent salpingitis the number of lymphocytes is not significantly different from that in a normal proliferative phase. 3. The values for fallopian pregnancy are significantly lower than those of a normal secretory phase and do not differ significantly from those of a normal proliferative phase. 4. The values observed for the reproductive period are significantly higher than those found postmenopausally. Examination by electron-microscopy showed that the lymphocytes in the epithelium of the uterine tube are intercellular. Pointers towards degenerative changes were not seen. It is presumed that the number of lymphocytes appearing in the epithelium of the fallopian tube depends on the hormonal activity of the ovaries.