A bovine oviduct microfluidic platform to evaluate the effects of cisplatin and hormones on cilia beating frequencies

Chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin modulate the function of cells in fallopian tubes (oviducts) reducing the formation of sperm reservoirs that promote gamete interaction during the fertilization process. The mechanisms behind these resulting deficiencies must be better understood to improve fertility for cancer patients. A microfluidic platform was developed by immobilizing a transparent polycarbonate membrane between two poly (dimethyl siloxane) molds to make channels for the growth of a functional monolayer of oviduct cells on one side and medium on the other side. Freshly isolated bovine oviduct epithelial cells were cultured on the membrane with an air-liquid interface after 5 days, and the resulting cells had consistent cilia beating frequencies (CBF) for 12 weeks between 4.92 f 0.59 Hz and 5.76 f 0.94 Hz. Incubation with 75 pg ml- 1 17-beta-estradiol and 100 ng ml- 1 progesterone increased the CBF from 4.62 f 0.16 Hz to 7.61 f 0.41 Hz. When incubated with 50 mu M of cisplatin, the CBF dropped by 40 f 19 % without hormones and 52 f 9 % with hormones, with similarly decreased CBFs. Short 2-h incubations of bovine oviduct cells with cisplatin directly reduced the beating of ciliated cells, illustrating that the short-term effects (hours) of chemotherapeutics should be considered in oncofertility.