Open AccessMethylene blue dyeing of cellular nuclei during salpingoscopy, a new in- vivo method to evaluate vitality of tubal epithelium
Author(s) -
Guillermo Marconi,
Ramiro Quintana
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
human reproduction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.446
H-Index - 226
eISSN - 1460-2350
pISSN - 0268-1161
DOI - 10.1093/humrep/13.12.3414
Subject(s) - methylene blue , in vivo , ectopic pregnancy , andrology , fallopian tube , staining , medicine , chemistry , pathology , biology , surgery , pregnancy , biochemistry , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , photocatalysis , catalysis
The Fallopian tube can be damaged by different noxious substances that may change cellular ultrastructure and function. Alteration of the cell membrane allows the passage of certain aniline dyes, which can stain the nucleus. A total of 310 Fallopian tubes from 163 patients who underwent a surgical or diagnostic laparoscopy during fertility studies was analysed by salpingoscopy. Cellular nuclei were stained by injection of 20 ml of a 10% solution of methylene blue in saline solution (NaCl 10%) through the cervical cannula prior to salpingoscopy. Evaluation of nuclear staining with methylene blue, adhesions, vascular alterations, and the flattening of folds in relation to pregnancy outcome was undertaken. Quantification of salpingoscopic findings was carried out according to a score. Flattening of folds and vascular alterations showed no difference in the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. On the other hand, adhesions and nuclear dyeing were significantly greater in the non-pregnant group (adhesions 13.6 versus 26.8%, P < 0.004, and nuclear dyeing: 25 versus 41.7%, P < 0.009, pregnant versus non-pregnant). Methylene blue dye is a new tool to evaluate in vivo cyto-histological tubal damage, and is a useful and simple method to provide a prognosis of salpingean function.