Human tubal motility in vivo

The Spontaneous Motility of the Human Fallopian Tube

“…Study of total muscle activity however can be misleading and the functional meaning of our observations is hard to surmise. It is interesting that in recent work by Sica-Blanco, Rozada, Remedio, Hendricks & Alvarez (1970) and Sica-Blanco, Cibels, Remedio, Rozada & Gil (1971), in which motility was monitored in vivo by inserting polythene catheters into the tubai lumen, the intensity of the contractions was found to be generally higher at the isthmic level. Apart from this observation, very great variability in tubai contractility of the oviduct is an important factor in the ascent of spermatozoa and/or descent of the egg (as it seems logical that it should be), its mechanism does not seem to be by means of a peristaltic wave which predictably changes its direction according to the normal changes of the ovarian cycle.…”

Contractility of the Fallopian Tube

“…Maistrello [5] recorded tubal motility in the rabbit with a special type of transducer which is attached to the external walls of the oviduct. Chronic recording of intratubal pressure changes has been used more recently in rabbits [6][7][8][9]; monkeys [10] and in women [11][12][13]. Neri el al.…”

“…Neri el al. [10] and Sica-Bi.anco et al [13] have used an open end catheter whereas Maia and Coutinho [11] have preferred a closed system to record the changes in intratubal pressure. Maia and Coutinho [11] used a polyvinyl catheter whose end is fenestrated and sheathed by a thin rubber diaphragm which is inserted inside the tube during laparotomy.…”