Analysis of Intra-uterine Fluid Motion Induced by Uterine Contractions

Abstract

Evaluation of the fluid flow pattern in a non-pregnant uterus is important for understanding embryo transport in the uterus. Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube and the embryo (fertilized ovum) enters the uterine cavity within 3 days of ovulation. In the uterus, the embryo is conveyed by the uterine fluid for another 3 to 4 days to a successful implantation site at the upper part of the uterus. Fluid movements within the uterus may be induced by several mechanisms, but they seem to be dominated by myometrial contractions. Intra-uterine fluid transport in a sagittal cross-section of the uterus was simulated by a model of wall-induced fluid motion within a two-dimensional channel. The time-dependent fluid pattern was studied by employing the lubrication theory. A comprehensive analysis of peristaltic transport resulting from symmetric and asymmetric contractions is presented for various displacement waves on the channel walls. The results provide information on the flow field and possible trajectories by which an embryo may be transported before implantation at the uterine wall.

Peristaltically induced motion in a closed cavity with two vibrating walls

“…Whereas in the classical analysis 4,6,8 of peristaltic waves in an infinitely long conduit, the model is steady when viewed from a reference frame that moves with the wave, in the closed-conduit case that we consider here, the flow field is inherently unsteady in any reference frame.…”

“…This can be contrasted with applications from physiology. 8 For example, in the uterus, the wave frequency is typically smaller than 0.1 Hz and R Ӷ1.…”

“…In addition to the references cited in Jarrin and Shapiro, 4 lubrication theory was used more recently by Hung and Brown, 5 Pozrikidis, 6 Li and Brasseur, 7 and Eytan and Elad. 8 The lubrication theory is perhaps appropriate for physiological applications, in which the wave frequency is relatively small, and the wall deformations are large. In microsystems, however, one is often interested in high-frequency waves.…”

Influence of Lateral Walls on Peristaltic Flow of a Couple Stress Fluid in a Non-Uniform Rectangular Duct

“…De Vries et al [4] and Chalubinski et al [5], experimentally shared that the flow due to myometrial contractions, intrauterine fluid is peristaltic type motion and myometrial contractions may occurs in both symmetric and asymmetric channel. Later on , Eytan and Elad [6] have made a mathematical model which discussed the peristaltic fluid flow in a two dimensional channel with wave trains having a phase difference moving independently on the upper and lower walls to simulate intra-uterine fluid motion in a sagital cross section of the uterus. Only a limited attention have been focused to the study of peristaltic flows of non-Newtonian fluids in asymmetric channel.…”

Peristaltic Pumping of Solid Particles Immersed in a Viscoelastic Fluid

“…Peristaltic contractions in the oviduct and uterus contribute to ovum transport and embryo implantation in the uterus [4,11,10,13,23], and peristaltic contractions are responsible for the passage of urine from the kidneys to the bladder [5]. In some instances,…”