| Abstract: | Five cinehysterography sessions during oestrus and three during metoestrus were performed in four ewes for the assessment of uterine motility. Radio-opaque material was deposited in the uterine body through a permanent catheter in the cervix, and the changes in the shape and size of the uterine lumen, as well as the conveyance of radio-opaque material therein were traced. The changes in the lumen consisted of temporary widenings and constrictions resulting in segmentary divisions of the lumen. The radio-opaque material, which never passed the cervix or uterotubal junctions, was repeatedly conveyed to and fro between the uterine horns. One two-way transport was completed within about 40 s.These findings show the relation in vivo between uterine motility and the transport of particles in the uterine lumen, and the blocking activity of the cervix and the uterotubal junctions. |
