Purified Culture Systems for Bovine Oviductal Stromal Cells

Isolated stromal cells from the ampullary and isthmic parts of bovine oviductal tissueswere cultured in monolayer and spheroid (cell aggregate) systems. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF)plays a crucial role in oviductal contraction and is produced by oviductal epithelialcells in cattle. Since stromal cells of many organs produce PGF, PGF production by bovineoviductal stromal cells was investigated. After PGF synthesis was confirmed, the utilityof isolation and culture methods for oviductal stromal cells was evaluated by PGFproduction in the present study. The homogeneity of the cells was > 99%. PGF productionof the cells was increased by tumor necrosis factor-α. The stromal cells aggregated andformed a spheroid by the treatments with several reagents. PGF production was higher inthe spheroid culture than in the monolayer culture. The isolation and culture methodsdescribed here will facilitate studies of the physiological function of bovine oviductalstromal cells.