Topographic and Ultrastructural Variations in Infundibular Segment of Goat Oviduct

Topographic and ultrastructural changes in the infundibular segment of goat (Capra hircus) oviduct has been studied during the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. Histologically, the mucosal epithelium of the infundibulum revealed characteristic pattern of changes in the number, height, branching of the mucosal folds and relative frequency of ciliated and secretary cells during both the phases of the oestrous cycle. Topographic analysis of the infundibular epithelium in the follicular phase demonstrated uniform distribution of ciliated cells. The frequency of the non-ciliated cells were higher and restricted zones of ciliated cells was observed during the luteal phase. Secretory cells appeared as collapsed envelopes (ghost cells) at some places. The presence of low electron dense cytoplasm in the ciliated cells was the characteristic of the follicular phase. Densely stained secretory cells possessed small secretory granules with dense homogeneous matrices. The non-ciliated cells of the luteal phase showed large finger like cytoplasmic protrusions. Ciliated cells were interspersed with secretory cells at some restricted zones. The results demonstrate that the oviductal epithelium of goat revealed marked cyclic variations in the topography and fine structure.