Atypical cilia in the oviductal epithelium of healthy dogs

Specimens of the uterine tube (ampulla) were obtained from seven healthy, ovario-hysterectomized dogs. Ultrastructurally, a total of 35,000 cilia were examined. Compound cilia ranged from 0.0 to 0.4%; both intracytoplasmic and swollen cilia ranged from 0.1% to 0.4%. The microtubular pattern was studied in 3,500 cross-sectioned cilia and an abnormal pattern was found in 2-5%. Similarly to the other animal species, abnormalities involving the peripheral microtubules were the prevailing defect. An electron-dense plug into the lumen was seen in 1-3% of the basal bodies; occasionally an abnormal spatial configuration of them was also observed. The incidence of abnormal cilia hence is lower than found in the tracheae.