Oviductal epithelium of the baboon: hormonal control and the immuno-gold localization of oviduct-specific glycoproteins.

Oviducts were obtained from a series of cycling and ovariectomized steroid-treated baboons. The lining epithelium of the ampulla and isthmus was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Both morphological and cytomorphometric analyses revealed that the morphological and functional state of the oviductal epithelium in the baboon is controlled by the ovarian steroids. Additionally, a clear cephalocaudal steroid-responsive gradient was observed when the data from the ampulla and isthmus of the same animal were compared. Within the ampulla, estradiol induced hypertrophy, hyperplasia, ciliogenesis, and secretory activity, whereas adding progesterone to the treatment regimen (+/- estradiol) resulted in atrophy, deciliation, apoptosis, and loss of the secretory activity. These cyclic processes were less evident in the isthmus. We also used an indirect electron microscopic immunogold technique and a previously characterized polyclonal antibody to determine the localization of oviduct-specific glycoproteins. These glycoproteins were present in every secretory granule observed, regardless of oviduct region, electron density, or size of the secretory granule. In summary, our data show that 1) estradiol induces and maintains the mature epithelium of the baboon oviduct, 2) steroid withdrawal or the administration of progesterone causes regression of the epithelium, and 3) the previously identified estradiol-dependent oviduct-specific glycoproteins are synthesized within and released from the secretory epithelial cells.