Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) disrupts particle transport, cilia function and sperm motility in an ex vivo oviduct model

What is it about?

This project, led by Dr. O'Doherty and carried out with Dr. di Fenza, describes a new model for determining the impact of bacterial infection on oviduct function and for examining interactions of sperm with the oviduct. Using live cell video microscopy we identified that exposure of the oviduct to the bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (the major component of the outer member of gram-negative bacteria such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia abortus and E.coli), resulted in increased tubal velocity, elevated cilia beat frequency and a reduction in bound sperm motility. Increased expression of genes related to immune function and inflammatory response was also observed in oviductal epithelium that were exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

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Why is it important?

These results demonstrate a rapid host response of healthy oviducts to lipopolysaccharide, and suggest that even a short exposure of the oviduct to infection may have dire consequences on fertility.