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Responses of the monkey oviduct to transmural electrical stimulation and to drugs

In monkeys, as in man, the time required for ovum transport through the oviduct is about 3 days (Eddy, Garcia, Kraemer & Pauerstein, 1976). This period appears essential for normal fertility because eggs passing too quickly or too slowly through the oviduct fail to implant (Bennett, 1974). Although transport through the ampulla may be mediated by cilia (Blandau & Verdugo, 1976), the isthmus is comparatively muscular and well innervated and may delay ovum transport by a sphincter-like action. Prostaglandins and catecholamines are known to alter the muscular activity of human and rabbit oviducts and it is possible that changes in the levels of these drugs, or in the sensitivity of the tissues to them, may control egg transport (Hodgson & Eddy, 1975; Spilman & Harper, 1975). In the present study the contractile responses of the monkey oviduct to various drugs and to transmural electrical stimulation have been examined in the hope of increasing understanding of the regulation of ovum transport in this species.