Macrophages in the chicken oviduct: morphometrical studies by light and transmission electron microscopy and the possible influence of sex hormones.

Light and electron microscopic techniques were used to study the morphometry and dynamic changes of macrophages in the postnatal and sex hormone-treated chicken oviduct, respectively. Abundant typical macrophages, containing clear vacuoles, well-developed mitochondria, Golgi complexes and lysosomal bodies in their cytoplasms, were observed in the lamina propria of all segments of the postnatal chicken oviduct, occurring more frequently in the vaginal part. When 7-day-old chickens were injected with diethylstilbestrol (DES), and DES plus progesterone, infiltration of a significant number of macrophages in both groups, but not in controls could be seen. The light and electron microscopic structures of the macrophages in both postnatal and sex hormone-treated chicken oviduct were similar. These results show that typical macrophages are present in the chicken oviduct; their frequency of occurrence varies with different oviductal segments, and they are influenced by sex hormones.