Abstract
The bovine tubouterine junction is composed of three parts (terminal tubal segment, transition region proper, uterine apex) and follows a sigmoidal course displaying a tubal and an uterine curvature. In the terminal tubal segment, 4–8 primary longitudinal folds and a system of lower secondary folds, ridges and chords project into the centrally located lumen. The transition region proper possesses a slit-like lumen because of the existence of a thick mucosal pad containing the first uterine glands. The longitudinal primary folds of the tube broaden, flatten and start to diverge when they reach the transition region proper. The mucosal pad and broadened folds are heavily vascularized. A system of lateral outpocketings with blind ends pointing in an ampullary direction develops between the primary and secondary folds, the ridges and chords of the terminal tubal segment and transition region proper. From the bottom of these outpocketings, short tubulo-alveolar crypts originate. The mucosa of the uterine apex forms low transversal ridges. The musculature of the bovine tubouterine junction is divided into a continuous circular or spiral intermediate layer, flanked by inner and outer longitudinal layers. The outer longitudinal layer is incomplete in the terminal tubal segment but increases in thickness to form a continuous stratum in the uterine apex. An inner longitudinal layer occurs only in the terminal tubal segment where it is best developed in the bases of the primary longitudinal folds. The simple columnar surface epithelium of the tubouterine junction contains ciliated and non-ciliated cells. The former undergo cyclical changes, and increase during estrus and postestrus. During proestrus, groups of non-ciliated cells display bulbous apical protrusions. During proestrus and estrus, circumscribed epithelial lesions expose the underlying basal lamina.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Aitken RJ (1975) Ultrastructure of the blastocyst and endometrium of the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) during delayed implantation. J Anat 119:369–384
Andersen DH (1928) Comparative anatomy of the tubo-uterine junction. Histology and physiology in the sow. Am J Anat 42:255–290
Anderson TF (1951) Techniques for the preservation of three-dimensional structure in preparing specimens for the electron microscope. Trans NY Acad Sci 13:130–134
Bajpai VK, Pathak RK, Shipstone AC, Harper MJK, Herbert DC (1980) Does interconversion occur in tubal epithelium? Anat Rec 196:12A-13A
Beck RL, Boots RL (1974) The comparative anatomy, histology and morphology of the mammalian oviduct. In: Johnson AD, Foley CW (eds) The oviduct and its function. Academic Press, New York London, pp 1–51
Black DL, Davis J (1962) A blocking mechanism in the cow oviduct. J Reprod Fertil 4:21–26
Donnez J, Casanas-Roux F, Caprasse J, Ferin J, Thomas K (1985) Cyclic changes in ciliation, cell height, and mitotic activity in human tubal epithelium during reproductive life. Fertil Steril 43:554–559
Ertl C, Wrobel KH (1992) Distribution of sugar residues in the bovine testis during postnatal ontogenesis demonstrated with lectin-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. Histochemistry 97:161–171
Forssmann WG, Ito S, Weihe E, Aoki A, Dym M, Fawcett DW (1977) An improved perfusion fixation method for the testis. Anat Rec 188:307–314
Grunert E (1982) Sexualzyklus. In: Grunert E, Berchthold M (eds) Fertilitätssiörungen beim weiblichen Rind. Parey, Berlin Hamburg, pp 52–63
Guillomot M, Guay P (1982) Ultrastructural features of the cell surfaces of uterine and trophoblastic epithelia during embryo attachment in the cow. Anat Rec 204:315–322
Hafez ESE, Black DL (1969) The mammalian uterotubal junction. In: Hafez ESE, Blandau RJ (eds) The mammalian oviduct. University of Chicago Press, Chicago London, pp 53–126
Hook SJ, Hafez ESE (1968) A comparative anatomical study of the mammalian uterotubal junction. J Morphol 125:159–184
Hunter RHF, Wilmut I (1984) Sperm transport in the cow: periovulatory redistribution of viable cells within the oviduct. Reprod Nutr Dev 24:597–608
Hunter RHF, Fléchon B, Fléchon JE (1991) Distribution, morphology and epithelial interactions of bovine spermatozoa in the oviduct before and after ovulation: a scanning electron microscope study. Tissue Cell 23:641–656
Jerusalem C (1963) Eine kleine Modifikation der Goldner-(Masson)-Trichromfärbung. Z Wiss Mikrosk 65:320–321
Kann ML, Fouquet JP (1977) Bull spermatozoa in the female tract after natural mating. A preliminary ultrastructural study of uterotubal junction. Ann Biol Anim Biochem Biophys 17:165–172
Larsson B, Larsson KC (1986) Sperm localization in the oviducts of artificially inseminated dairy cattle. Acta Vet Scand 27:303–312
Lombard L, Banner BM, McNutt SH (1950) The morphology of the oviduct of virgin heifers in relation to the estrous cycle. J Morphol 86:1–15
Nilsson O (1972) Ultrastructure of the process of secretion in the rat. Uterine epithelium at preimplantation. J Ultrastruct Res 40:572–580
Odor DL, Gaddum-Rosse P, Rummery RE, Blandau RJ (1980) Cyclic variations in the oviductal ciliated cells during the menstrual cycle and after estrogen treatment in the pig-tailed monkey, Macaca nemestrina. Anat Rec 198:35–37
Schilling E (1962) Untersuchungen über den Bau und die Arbeitsweise des Eileiters beim Schaf und Rind. Zentralbl Med Vet 9:805–853
Seki K, Rawson J, Eddy CA, Smith NK, Pauerstein CJ (1978) Deciliation in the puerperal Fallopian tube. Fertil Steril 29:75–83
Sidler X, Zimmermann W, Leiser R (1986) Das normale zyklische Geschehen im Endometrium des Schweines. Eigenverlag Klinik für Nutztiere, Universität Bern
Spurr AR (1969) A low-viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J Ultrastruct Res 26:31–43
Verhage HG, Abel JH, Tietz WJ, Barrau MD (1973) Development and maintenance of the oviductal epithelium during the estrous cycle in the bitch. Biol Reprod 9:460–474
Verhage HG, Bareither ML, Jaffe RC, Akbar M (1979) Cyclic changes in ciliation secretion and cell height of the oviductal epithelium in women. Am J Anat 156:505–522
Vollmerhaus B (1960) Zur Morphologie der Uterindrüsen des Rindes. Berl München Tierärztl Wochenschr 73:1–5
Wrobel KH, Sinowatz F, Kugler P (1978) Zur funktionellen Morphologie des Rete testis, der Tubuli recti und der Terminalsegmente der Tubuli seminiferi des geschlechtsreifen Rindes. Anat Histol Embryol 7:320–335
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wrobel, KH., Kujat, R. & Fehle, G. The bovine tubouterine junction: general organization and surface morphology. Cell Tissue Res 271, 227–239 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318609
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00318609