Changes in ciliation and cell height in human tubal epithelium in the fertile and post-fertile years.

A total of 162 fallopian tubes was obtained from a sample of subjects comprising fertile women with regular ovulatory cycles, post-menopausal women taking no hormonal drugs and post-menopausal women receiving oestrogen therapy in various forms. During the menstrual cycle the highest percentage of ciliated cells was found, in all of the three tubal portions studied, around ovulation time. The epithelial height decreased significantly subsequent to ovulation. After more than 1 yr had elapsed following the menopause, the percentage of ciliated cells and epithelial height decreased significantly. Very low values were observed in women 10 yr after the menopause. In women receiving oestrogen therapy for more than 10 yr following the onset of menopause - conjugated equine oestrogens (CEE), 1.25 mg/day - the percentage of ciliated cells was significantly higher than that in subjects not receiving hormonal therapy. Similar data were obtained in the case of women taking oestriol (2 mg/day). The data presented demonstrate that oestrogen therapy influences the ciliation and height of oviductal epithelium.