Uterine contractility and directed sperm transport assessed by hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) and intrauterine pressure (IUP) measurement

Abstract

Intact periovulatory utero-tubal transport function can be documented by HSSG and is caused by directed uterine contractility, measured consecutively by IUP. Uterine contractility is influenced by rising estradiol levels. Directed uterine contractility and intact utero-tubal transport function are considered necessary for intact sperm transport, mainly to the side bearing the dominant follicle to maximize fertility.

Differences in muscarinic-receptor agonist–, oxytocin-, and prostaglandin-induced uterine contractions

“…3). The highest increase in IUP was seen in the isthmus uteri after administration of PGE 1 oxytocin) at the dosages tested. Both medications caused a statistically significantly higher increase in IUP in the isthmus uteri compared with the corpus uteri, resulting in a cervicofundic pressure gradient.…”

“…Inadequate uterine contractility may lead to ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, retrograde bleeding, endometriosis, and infertility (1)(2)(3).…”

Pelvic Imaging in Reproductive Endocrinology

“…231,238,239 Thus, UCs and possible disruption of their patterns, may, therefore, play a key role in the reproductive process and in certain forms of infertility. However, as stated above, echographic analyses of UC direction have never been shown to correlate with the actual displacement of uterine contents.…”

MRT der uterinen Adenomyose bei infertilen Patientinnen: Ergebnisse und klinische Rückschlüsse

“…Es zeigte sich, dass bei Patientinnen mit negativem HSSG-Befund die assistierte Reproduktion (IVF/ICSI) in bis zu 57 % der Patientinnen zu einer Schwangerschaft führen kann, während bei einem positiven uterotubaren Transport diese Verfahren nur in 25 % erfolgreich sind [29]. Aus diesem Grunde wären Studien mit dem Ziel der Ermittlung von Schwangerschaftsraten in Zusammenhang mit den Ergebnissen der HSSG und MRT sowie der durch diese Untersuchung bedingten ¾nderungen der Therapie der Infertilität sehr wünschenswert.…”