Influence of Ovarian Hormones on Histology and Histochemistry of the Bovine Oviduct

The influence of estradiol benzoate, progesterone, or both upon the histology and histoehemistry of the bovine oviduct (upper ampulla, middle oviduct, lower isthmus) was studied in ovariectomized females. Oviduct histology during the follicular phase (proestrus, estrus, and early postestrus) and the luteal phase (early, middle, and late) was compared. The secretory products, identified as mueoprotein and acid mucopolysaccharide, were produced by the influence of estrogen and were released or their replenishment inhibited by progesterone. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the ciliary apparatus and on the surface of isthmic secretory cells was increased by estrogen and decreased by progesterone treatment. Alkaline phosphatase also occurred in the lamina propria of the lower oviduct and in small blood vessels. Glycogen and ribonucleic acid were always present in moderate or large anmunts in the epithelium; the largest amounts were generally associated with the secretory cell. Cellular extrusion and desquamation were observed and promoted by progesterone treatment.