Oviductal motile response to penile cervical buffeting

Abstract

We investigated the hypothesis that the oviduct exhibits increased motile activity during cervical buffeting. The response of oviductal and uterine pressures to cervix uteri (CU) stimulation was recorded in 16 women (mean age 32.4+/-3.6 years) with normal menstrual history. Pressure measurements, performed by means of saline-perfused catheters introduced into each of the uterus and oviduct, were recorded upon both electrical and mechanical CU stimulation before and after CU anesthetization. CU stimulation produced a significant uterine pressure decrease with no significant difference between electrical and mechanical stimulation. Latency recorded mean of 17.6+/-1.2 ms for electrical stimulation and 17.2+/-1.2 for mechanical stimulation. CU stimulation caused also significant pressure rise in ampullary and isthmic parts of oviduct and a decrease of intramural oviduct with no significant difference between electrical and mechanical stimulation. Mean latency of electrical and mechanical response was 18.7+/-1.1 ms and 19.1+/-1.1 ms, respectively. Uterine and tubal pressure showed insignificant response to stimulation of the anesthetized CU. Cervical stimulation reduced uterine and intramural oviduct pressure and elevated pressure of ampullary and isthmic parts. These utero-tubal responses seem to be mediated through a reflex which we call "cervico-utero-tubal reflex" and to assist in sperm-ovum transport and fertilization.