Tubal and uterine secretions; the possibilities for contraceptive attack

Role of superoxide dismutase in the fallopian tube function: Immunohistochemical assessment of superoxide dismutase in the fallopian tube.

“…The fallopian tube fluid is of critical importance in all of these processes (16). It is generally accepted that the fallopian tube fluid is formed by selective transudation from the blood and active secretion from the endosalpinx, and the protein concentration in the fallopian tube fluid is low compared with that in serum (2). To determine the role of SOD in fallopian tube function, we performed a biochemical analysis of CuZn-SOD in the rabbit fallopian tube fluid (data not published).…”

On the source of uterine 'luminal fluid' proteins in the mouse

“…Thus changing profiles of 'luminal fluid' proteins which have been interpreted as reflecting altered patterns of synthesis or secretion, and invoked as playing a crucial role in the regulation of implantation in mice (Aitken, 1979), probably largely reflect changing patterns of damage produced by flushing. In particular, rupture of stromal blood vessels could account for increased 'secretion' of serum proteins into the lumen between Days 4 and 5 of pregnancy (Gore-Langton & Surani, 1976;Aitken, 1977 , and treatment with progesterone plus oestrogen which induces further uterine closure (Pollard & Finn, 1973), possibly as a result of increased adhesiveness of the epithelial cell surface (Nilsson, 1967), would greatly increase luminal resistance to passage of fluids and the hydrostatic pressures developed during flushing.…”

“…There has been much interest in changes which occur in the uterine luminal fluid proteins around the time of embryo implantation in rats and mice (Aitken, 1979). Samples of such proteins are usually obtained by flushing the lumen (Surani, 1975(Surani, , 1977 Gore-Langton & Surani, 1976;Pratt, 1977;Aitken, 1977).…”

Regulatory mechanism underlying cyclic changes in mouse uterine bicarbonate secretion: role of estrogen

“…The fluid environment in the female reproductive tract is considered of physiological significance for a number of reproductive events, including sperm transport and capacitation, fertilization, embryo transport, development, and blastocyst implantation (Aitken 1979. Disturbance of the fluid microenvironment in pathological conditions, such as cystic fibrosis (Kopito et al 1973) or hydrosalpinx (Mukherjee et al 1996), is known to result in infertility.…”