Hormonal control of anti-sperm immune response in hen oviduct

本研究旨在探讨母鸡输卵管免疫功能的调控机制。输卵管免疫功能对保护禽类免受感染和影响精子在输卵管中的存活具有重要作用。在这项研究中，我们在精子储存小管中发现了孕激素和雌激素的受体，这表明该组织中抗精子免疫反应的抑制可能受性类固醇的调节。此外，我们还在输卵管黏膜组织中发现了包括巨噬细胞、主要组织相容性复合体II类、T细胞和B细胞在内的免疫活性细胞，并且它们的数量在性成熟过程中有所增加。在此后的老龄化过程中，他们的人口出现了紊乱。性类固醇部分增加了它们的数量。我们得出结论，鸟类输卵管免疫功能在防御系统和精子数量中起重要作用，性成熟、衰老和性激素参与了这一机制。

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism by which the immune functions in hen oviduct was controlled. Oviductal immune functions are important to protect the birds from infection and affect the sperm survival in the oviduct. In this study, we found receptors for progesterone and estrogen in the sperm storage tubules, suggesting that suppression of anti-sperm immunoresponse in this tissue may be regulated by sex steroids. Also, we have found immunocompetent cells including macrophages, major histocompatibility complex class II, T and B cells in the oviductal mucosal tissues, and their population was increased during sexual maturation. Disorder of their population occurred during aging thereafter. Sex steroids partially increased their population. We conclude that avian oviductal immune functions which are important in defense system and sperm population are affected by sexual maturation, aging, and sex steroids are involved in this mechanism.