Reproductive System, Female

Oviduct - Atrophy

Narrative
Comment:

Oviduct atrophy is an uncommon lesion and would be expected to occur in association with atrophy of the ovary and uterus or with inflammation. Features of oviduct atrophy include a decrease in the cross-sectional diameter of the oviduct, decreased thickness of the smooth muscle wall, decreased epithelial height, and flattened fimbria and/or mucosal folds (Figure 1 and Figure 2). This lesion must be differentiated from hypoplasia.

Recommendations:
Oviduct - Atrophy should be diagnosed and graded whenever present.
References:

National Toxicology Program. 1999. NTP TR-481. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Oleic Acid Diethanolamine Condensate (CAS No. 93-83-4) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Dermal Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/9764
  • Image of atrophy in the oviduct from a female B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study

    Oviduct - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. The fimbria in the infundibulum are small and collapsed (arrow) and the folds of epithelium in the isthmus are blunted (asterisk).

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Oviduct - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. The fimbria in the infundibulum are small and collapsed (arrow) and the folds of epithelium in the isthmus are blunted (asterisk).
Oviduct - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. The fimbria in the infundibulum are small and collapsed (arrow) and the folds of epithelium in the isthmus are blunted (asterisk).
Oviduct - Normal in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. The fimbria in the infundibulum (arrow) and epithelial folds in the isthmus (asterisk) are well formed (compare to Figure 1).
Oviduct - Normal in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. The fimbria in the infundibulum (arrow) and epithelial folds in the isthmus (asterisk) are well formed (compare to Figure 1).
Oviduct - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The cells in the infundibular fimbria (arrow) are vacuolated.
Oviduct - Atrophy in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). The cells in the infundibular fimbria (arrow) are vacuolated.
Oviduct - Normal in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. The cells of the infubdibular fimbria lack vacuoles (compare to Figure 3).
Oviduct - Normal in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a subchronic study. The cells of the infubdibular fimbria lack vacuoles (compare to Figure 3).

Authors

Gabrielle Willson, BVMS, Dip RC Path, FRC Path, MRCVS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Karen Y. Cimon, DVM, MS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Karen S. Regan, DVM, DABT, DACVP
Pathologist
Regan Path/Tox Services, Inc.
Ashland, OH  

Darlene Dixon, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Fellow, IATP
Group Leader, Molecular Pathogenesis Group
National Toxicology Program Laboratory
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC