Directional Flow of Fallopian Tube Secretion in the Romney Ewe

Abstract

Summary. The continuous collection of fluid flowing from both ends of the Fallopian tube of the ewe was attempted by placing a cannula in the ovarian end of the ampulla and a further cannula passing through the wall of the corresponding uterine horn and opposed to the uterotubal junction. Daily recordings of fluid were made in thirty ewes over a period ranging from 3 to 106 days; observations were also made for oestrous behaviour.There was an increase in total output of tubal fluid starting on the last day of the oestrous cycle and reaching a maximum about Day 2, after which a gradual decline occurred. A greater part of the total fluid secreted flowed through the ampullar end. Flow through the utero-tubal junction into the uterus remained low for most of the cycle, but markedly increased in all cycles 3\m=.\9\m=+-\0\m=.\1 days after the onset of oestrus.The peak flow through the utero-tubal junction would therefore appear to coincide with the time during which ova enter the uterus in the ewe.

Sperm transport in the cow : peri-ovulatory redistribution of viable cells within the oviduct

“…The lumen of the ruminant isthmus is extremely tightly constricted in the pre-ovulatory interval as inferred by the ad-ovarian direction of flow of oviduct fluids (Bellve and McDonald, 1968), and passage of spermatozoa would be impeded on physical grounds alone. However, a reduced temperature and oxygen tension in the lower isthmus may also act to reduce sperm motility.…”

The Effects of Tubal Ligation on Ovum Transport in Rabbits

“…Black & Asdell ( 1959) further demonstrated that the fluid disappeared from ligated oviducts by 60 hr after mating. Similarly, Belve & McDonald (1968) reported that most of the oviducal secretions of sheep passed out of the tubai ostium early in the oestrous cycle. On Day 4, however, the time when ova usually enter the uterus, fluid flow through the uterotubal junction markedly increased.…”

Endocrine Response in the Fallopian Tube

“…Then, when isthmic constriction disappears, bulk flow reversal is possible and the ovum is carried down through the isthmus into the uterus. The occurrence of such bulk flow reversal was described in sheep at 3.9 days after the onset of estrus (171). The tube's trumpet-shaped structure renders this mechanism operational irrespective of whether the isthmus itself is ciliated, as in man and other primates, rabbits, cows, and sheep, or only very sparsely so, as in guinea pigs and rats (172).…”