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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 15, 654-660, Copyright © 1976 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

A Delayed Antagonistic Effect of Progesterone on the Estradiol-Induced Differentiation of the Oviductal Epithelium in Spayed Cats

H. G. VERHAGE 1, and R. M. BRENNER 1

1 Department of Reproductive Physiology, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97005


We have shown previously (West et al., 1976) that progesterone (P) antagonizes the effect of estradiol (E2) on the oviducts of cats when E2 and P are administered sequentially (E2 first, then E2 + P). To determine whether P could completely block the effects of E2 on the oviduct with reversal of the sequential treatment pattern, we treated two groups of spayed cats with silastic implants of P (12 cm) and E2 (0.5 cm) as follows. Group A: P (7 days); P + E2 (14 days). Group B: blank implant (7 days); E2 (14 days).

Oviducts were collected and fixed at closely spaced intervals for morphologic and cytomorphometric determinations. The mean plasma levels of E2 in Groups A and B were similar (16.8 and 19.7 pg/ml, respectively) whereas the mean level of P was 14.1 ng/ml in Group A and 0.3 ng/ml in Group B animals. After two days of E2 treatment, cells from both treatment groups showed identical patterns of mitosis and hypertrophy. On Days 3-5, combined E2-P treatment had prevented further cell hypertrophy (Fimbriae: 21.9 µm[A], 26.6 µm[B]; Ampulla 21.3 µm[A], 28.9 µm[B]), but ciliogenesis was evident in cells from both groups. By Day 7, combined E2-P treatment had somewhat reduced the number of ciliated cells in the fimbriae (Group A: 46 percent; Group B: 67 percent) and more dramatically in the ampulla (Group A: 22 percent; Group B: 63 percent). By 14 days the combined E2-P treatment had led to further atrophy and extensive deciliation (Fimbriae: 15.5 µm and 22 percent [A], 24.3 µm and 57 percent [B]; Ampulla: 16.5 µm and 13 percent [A], 27 µm and 48 percent [B]). In the presence of P, the nonciliated cells never became functional secretory cells.

These data suggest that in cats a period of E2-induced differentiation must occur before P can antagonize the E2 effect, that P antagonism develops gradually, and that the rate at which P antagonism develops differs from region of the oviduct to another.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors wish to thank Bev Cole and Nancy Martin for their excellent technical assistance. This is publication no. 846 of the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center. This investigation was supported by General Research Support Grant RR5694 from the General Research Support Branch, and Grant RR00163, Grant for the Operation of the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, from the Animal Resources Branch, Division of Research Resources, National Institute of Health, as well as Program Project Grant HD05969 from the Center for Population Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.

Submitted on June 16, 1976
Accepted on August 16, 1976






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Copyright © 1976 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.