IN-SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF LEUKOCYTES IN THE FALLOPIAN-TUBE IN WOMENWITH OR WITHOUT AN INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICE

Histological evaluation of sections from the human fallopian tube reve aled an inflammatory reaction in 21 of 31 women using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and in four of 29 controls (non-IUCD users ). The inflammatory cells were mainly localized at the epithelium-lami na propria interface and at the center of the mucosal folds. The immun ohistochemical study revealed leukocytes (CD45(+)), T lymphocytes (CD3 (+)), T helper cells (CD4(+)), T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (CD8(+)), B lymphocytes (CD22(+), CD19(+)), granulocytes, monocytes and null cel ls (CD11b(+)) mainly localized at the lamina propria in both groups. T lymphocytes were the predominant cell type, and the ratio between T h elper and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells was fairly close to one both in IUCD-users and controls. B lymphocytes were the least frequent cell t ype identified. In IUCD users, the numbers of the different leukocytes were increased. In both groups, IgA-, IgG- and IgM-positive cells wer e demonstrated and were predominantly located at the lamina propria of the mucosal folds. The IgA-positive cells dominated in both groups, w hereas IgG- and IgM-positive cells were less frequent. Cell positive f or IgA, IgG or IgM were significantly increased in number in the IUCD users. The data confirm the presence of an immune system in the normal human fallopian tube and indicate that the IUCD can induce a prominen t recruitment of inflammatory cells, with a tubal inflammation as the result. The IUCD may disturb the immunological function of the fallopi an tube and its role in fertilization.