single-nuclei RNA sequencing of oviduct

The oviduct is a tubular organ that connects the uterus and ovary in female mammals, which is essential for fertility. The oviductal epithelium is composed of ciliated and non-ciliated (secretory) cells, and their numbers vary depending on the segment of the oviduct and stage of the estrous cycle. During the menstrual cycle in reproductive women, the epithelium of the oviduct is damaged due to the abundance of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors in follicular fluid. The epithelial cells of the oviducts should have the regenerative potential for self-repair and remodeling in order to restore normal function. Therefore, the epithelium of the oviducts should be similar to the epithelium of the trachea, with a group of stem cells responsible for tissue repair. At present, our knowledge of the types, marker genes, and differentiation trajectories of stem cells in the oviducts is still limited. Despite the critical importance of the oviduct for reproduction, a portion of human infertility cases are due to oviduct defects, the cellular heterogeneity of the oviduct mucosal epithelium has not been fully explored. our nuclei single-cell-derived transcriptome data provide a more detailed and higher resolution account of gene expression patterns involved in oviductal development than previously available, reflecting the unique roles and homeostasis in reproduction of oviductal epithelial cells located in different segments, infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus.