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CYCLICAL CHANGES IN UTERO-OVIDUCAL MOTILITY IN THE RABBIT

The phasic activities of utero-oviducal musculature are co-ordinated to accomplish successful gamete transport. In untreated rabbits, the oviducal musculature shows dramatic daily changes in contractility (Salomy & Harper, 1971). In oestrogen-treated rabbits, contractions are characterized by high frequency, small amplitude and irregular pattern (Mattos & Coutinho, 1971). This oestrogen-dominated pattern is observed with either high or moderate doses of the steroid (Greenwald, 1963). During the luteal phase, the oviducal musculature becomes increasingly active (Boling, 1971) in response to increasing progestagen concentrations. Maximal contractility of the myometrium occurs during the preovulatory phase, and a `myometrial block' (Csapo, 1970) is established during the luteal phase.

A chronological study of the characteristic motility patterns may provide a further understanding of their physiological implications. The purpose of this investigation was to study cyclical changes in