The expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and oestrogen and progesterone receptors in the proximal and distal fallopian tube.

Significant epithelial proliferation is identified more frequently in the fallopian tube in patients with ovarian tumours than in control patients. More extensive sampling of the fallopian tube is also associated with a more frequent identification of epithelial proliferation. We compared cellular proliferation at either end of the fallopian tube as detected with an antiserum to the Ki-67 protein. Variations in oestrogen and progesterone receptor proteins were also examined. Proliferative activity as expressed by the Ki-67 protein, and oestrogen receptor expression was greater in the proximal fallopian tube and progesterone receptor expression was greater in the distal fallopian tube. Only the difference in progesterone receptor expression was statistically significant (P =0.0431). This study indicates that variations in Ki-67, oestrogen and progesterone receptor protein expression occur at different sites in the fallopian tube. This should be taken into account when planning studies of epithelial cell proliferation in the fallopian tube in the future.