LECTIN HISTOCHEMISTRY OF FALLOPIAN-TUBE EPITHELIAL-CELLS - RELATION TO OVUM TRANSPORT AND OVUM PICKUP

OBJECTIVE: Data on histochemical and biochemical characteristics of th e human oviduct ae scarce. The exact mechanisms of ovum transport and pickup are not fully understood. STUDY DESIGN: Human fallopian tubes w ere obtained and prepared for histochemistry. We analyzed the distribu tion of negatively charged groups on the oviduct epithelium and cumulu s cells and examined the distribution of glycoconjugates by means of l ectin histochemistry. We tested the possible influence of poly-L-lysin e and considered ABO blood group expression since these characteristic s are determined by specific terminal sugar residues. RESULTS: A negat ively charged glycocalyx exists on tubal epithelial cells and cumulus cells. Adherence by affinities similar to sugar-lectin binding forces could be disproven in case of commonly used lectins. Poly-L-lysine inh ibited the cationic binding reaction but did not influence lectin bind ing. The blood group A glycoprotein presents terminal D-N-acetyl-galac tosamine residues, which are demonstrated by HPA lectin binding. CONCL USION: Our study indicates that it is unlikely that electrostatic inte ractions play a major role in ovum transport or pickup. Since poly-L-l ysine has been described as inhibiting ovum transport, sugar-lectin bi nding affinities seem not to operate in ovum transport or pickup.