Isthmic and ampullar contractility of the human oviduct in vivo

Abstract

Five multiparous patients undergoing tubal ligation were studied by inserting 2 vinyl catheters in the ampulla and isthmus of each oviduct, and an intramyometrial catheter was inserted at the cornu in two of them. From 4 to 12 recording sessions were carried out in each patient. From the analysis of the 37 records, the following conclusions have been tentatively reached: In most instances, the pressure changes recorded in the isthmus have their counterpart in the ampulla and vice versa. The intramyometrial pressures, at the cornu, are totally independent from isthmic or ampullar intraluminal pressure changes. The intensity of the contractions is generally higher at the isthmus level. The chronologic relationship of the contractions varies from day to day and even from minute to minute. The peristaltic wave may travel in either direction, unpredictably. The “contractile bursts” may occur independently, or as isolated phenomena, in ampulla and/or isthmus. Their number or frequency does not seem to change throughout the cycle or in the early puerperium. The very important function of the oviduct in sperm and/or ovum transport does not seem to be principally exercised by means of a peristaltic wave predictably changing its direction after ovulation.