Short communicationAlterations in oviductal cilia morphology and reduced expression of axonemal dynein in diabetic NOD mice

•Cilia and expression of DNAI2 were examined in oviducts of female NOD mice.•Oviductal cilia of diabetic NOD mice appeared to be reduced in number.•Expression of DNAI2 protein was significantly less in oviducts of diabetic NOD mice.•Oviductal cilia of diabetic NOD mice displayed abnormal axonemal ultrastructure.•Altered oviductal cilia in diabetic mice might be detrimental to ciliary functions.

In the present study, we examined the morphology of cilia and expression of the dynein intermediate chain 2 (DNAI2) in the oviduct of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Results obtained with immunohistochemistry showed that DNAI2 expression was reduced in oviducts of diabetic NOD (dNOD) mice, as compared to that observed in the normoglycemic NOD (cNOD) group, especially in the acyclic dNOD mice. Oviductal cilia of dNOD mice appeared to be reduced in number. Results obtained with Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of DNAI2 protein was significantly less in oviducts of dNOD mice as compared to that of cNOD mice corroborating the results obtained with immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopic examination and quantitative imaging of thin sections of Epon-embedded oviducts of both dNOD and cNOD mice confirmed the reduction of the number of cilia in the oviduct of the dNOD group which also displayed aberrant axonemal ultrastructure, including disorganization of the axoneme and alteration of microtubule doublets into singlets as well as disruption of the plasma membrane in many cilia. Taken together, the present findings suggest that structural alterations of oviductal cilia in female diabetic NOD mice might be detrimental to the normal function of these particular cell structures in gamete transport.