Comparison of the growth patterns and morphological characteristics of mechanically and enzymatically isolated fallopian tube epithelial cells.

This study set out to compare the growth patterns and morphological characteristics of human fallopian tube epithelial cells isolated: (1) mechanically; and (2) enzymatically. Cells were cultured in medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum and antibiotics and their epithelial nature was established by immunocytochemistry for cytokeratins. Primary cultures were polygonal in shape with centrally located nuclei, irrespective of the isolation method. Cells isolated enzymatically exhibited a higher growth rate, but the survival rate was poor after more than 2-3 passages. Mechanical isolation gave a lower yield of cells, but had a higher survival rate when sub-cultured, even beyond 8 passages. Thus, mechanically isolated cells might be useful for longer term cultures, whereas enzymatically isolated cells are best only for short-term work.