Scanning electron microscopy of the oviductal mucosa apposing the hen ovum.

The surface patterns of the chicken hen oviductal mucosa apposing an ovum were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The distended infundibular mucosa consisted of folds that were separated by interfold spaces of similar width and longitudinal orientation. The epithelium, which lined the base of the interfold spaces, was nonciliated and appeared to correspond to the glandular grooves, which are the sites of sperm storage in the infundibulum. The presence of an ovum in the magnum or isthmus resulted in the flattening of the mucosal folds and occlusion of the oviductal lumen. The uterine mucosa was slightly compressed when apposed to an egg and wide interfold spaces were evident.