The Uterine Tubal Fluid: Secretion, Composition and Biological Effects
Anim. Reprod., v.2, n.2, p.91-105, April/June, 2005 The uterine tubal fluid: secretion, composition and biological effects J. Aguilar1,2 and M. Reyley1 1Producción Equina, Departamento de Producción Animal, Facultad de Agronomia y Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto, 5800 Rio Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina 2Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK Abstract regions of the tube indicate the existence of systemic and local controlling mechanisms of tubal fluid production. Gamete transport, sperm capacitation, fertilization, and early embryo development are all Keywords: uterine tube, oviduct, fluid, composition, physiological events that occur in a very synchronized secretion, fertilization manner within the uterine tubal lumen. The tubal fluid that bathes the male and female gametes allows these Introduction events to occur in vivo much more successfully than in vitro. Collection of tubal fluid from domestic females The uterine tube provides the appropriate has been performed by different methods. The amount environment for oocytes, spermatozoa transport, of fluid secreted by the uterine tube increases during fertilization, and early embryo development. When estrus and decreases during diestrus and pregnancy. The attempts to reproduce any of these events outside the ampulla produces approximately two thirds of the total tubal lumen are made, dramatic drops in efficiency are daily secretion, while the isthmus supplies the rest. consistently seen. This limitation is particularly strong Steroid hormones qualitatively and quantitatively in the mare, where a repeatable in vitro fertilization modify the tubal fluid, through both a direct effect on method has not yet been developed.
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