Characterization of oviduct ciliary beat frequency using spectrally encoded interferometric microscopy (Conference Presentation)

Oviduct and fallopian tube cilia serve as the primary means of tubal transport in the human reproductive system, with ciliated cells increasing from the isthmus to the infundibulum portions. Ciliary health is directly related to reproductive conditions such as tubal infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The ciliary beat frequency (CBF) changes over the ovarian cycle and is affected by both hormonal and neuronal stimuli, but is poorly understood in the natural environment due to limitations in current technology. Current techniques to measure ciliary beat frequency include high-speed video imaging, video microscopy, and optical methods, but access to minimally invasive in vivo imaging remains a challenge. A technology that enables the high-speed, high resolution, in-vivo imaging of the oviduct is essential for gaining insight into the natural ciliary activity in the oviduct, as well as the changes that take place with reproductive diseases. In this study, we report on the development of a spectrally-encoded interferometric microscopy (SEIM) system to visualize and analyze the spatial CBF of porcine oviduct cilia. We demonstrate the change in CBF from (7 to 12 Hz) that occurs under different temperature conditions from 23 to 29 degrees as well as the effects of lidocaine, where synchronized ciliary motion is disrupted. In addition, we examine the differences in ciliary activity between the infundibulum and ampulla portions of the fallopian tube. The results show that the SEIM system has the feasibility to detect CBF and ciliary acitivity in ex-vivo tissues with the potential to translate to minimally invasive in-vivo imaging.