Immunocytochemical localization of oviduct-specific glycoproteins in the oviductal epithelium from cows at follicular and luteal phases.

The immunocytochemical localization of bovine oviduct-specific glycoproteins was investigated by light and electron microscopy. Using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for bovine oviductal glycoproteins, 3 regions (fimbriae, ampulla, and isthmus) of the epithelium in the bovine oviduct we studied during the follicular and luteal phases. The MAbs reacted specifically with the oviductal epithelial cells. Intense labeling was observed in the ampullar and fimbrial epithelia of cows at the follicular phase, but the reactions were weaker at the luteal phase. In the isthmus, the immunohistochemical reaction was faint during both follicular and luteal phases. At the ultrastructural level, the MAbs bound selectively to putative secretory granules of nonciliated cells in the ampulla and fimbriae, but not in the isthmus. These results suggest that there are cyclic changes and regional differences in the production of glycoproteins in the bovine oviduct.