Abstract
To study the form and functions of the fallopian tubes, ciliary movement was investigated, and scanning electron microscope views during the sexual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum, after castration, and after administration of sexual steroid hormones were examin-ed. 1) Cliliary movement was frequent during proestrus, metestrus, and diestrus, but infrequent during estrus. The form of the ciliated cells did not change. Secretory cells were markedly distended in metestrus, suggesting the effects of estrogen and progesterone. 2) Ciliary movement increased on the 1st day of pregnancy, but decreased on the 2nd and the 3rd days and increased again from the 4th day on. The form of the ciliated cells did not change during pregnancy. Secretory cells were active in the 2nd day and, in cooperation with the decreased ciliary movement, controlled the transport of fertilized ova. Epithelial cells were exhausted by the 20th day of pregnancy, and on the 1st postpartum day the epithelia were devastated. However, both ciliated cells and secretory cells had regenerated by the 5th postpartum day. 3) Three weeks after castration, ciliated cells in the fallopian tubes were short and did not move briskly. The surfaces of the secretory cells were exfoliated, and the microvilli disappeared. Administration of estradiol caused both ciliated cells and secretory cells to regenerate well. Administration of progesterone increased secretory cells, but they appeared wasted.
