FALLOPIAN TUBE MICROVASCULATURE IN THE RABBIT

Summary The microvascular architecture of rabbit Fallopian tube isthmic, ampullary and fimbrial regions was examined by the corrosion vascular cast‐scanning electron microscope method. The aorta and inferior vena cava of virgin adult female rabbits (2·5–3·5 kg) were cannulated; after blood wash out, methacrylate casting medium was infused via the aorta. After plastic hardening, Fallopian tubes were excised, tissues corroded and casts prepared for scanning electron microscopy. The isthmic myosalpinx is encircled subserosally by an interlocking venous plexus. We suggest that a rise in pelvic venous pressure could lead to a decrease in isthmic luminal diameter and thus act as a sphincter contributing to the known delay in ovum transport at the ampullary isthmic junction. Stereo pairs of photomicrographs showed that isthmic plicae are supplied by arterioles which change little in diameter passing through the tubal wall. Near the apex of a fold, these arterioles terminate in a subepithelial capillary plexus which drains to deep mucosal and plical core venules. In contrast, the ampulla is supplied by smaller and less frequent arterioles. Frequent large venules extending high into the plicae drain the subepithelial capillary plexus. Based on this microvascular architecture, we suggest that the subepithelial capillary plexus of the apical region of the plicae probably contains high pressure blood in the isthmus and lower pressure blood in the ampulla. Therefore, plicae in these regions may be specialised for net luminal fluid secretion and absorption respectively, implying a role for the microvasculature in tubal transport by initiation or modification of fluid flow along the lumen.