Preliminary observations on the collection of baboon oviducal fluid

Five sexually mature and regularly ovulating baboons (Papio cyanocephalus) were subjected to bilateral oviducal cannulation. Prior to failure of the primary cannulation, peri-ovulatory fluids were collected during three menstrual cycles from one animal, during two cycles from a second animal, and during a single cycle from each of two additional animals. These four animals were subsequently recannulated and oviducal fluids obtained during six additional cycles, but tubal fluid collection after the second procedure was generally less satisfactory than following the initial manipulation. Two attempted cannulations in the fifth animal did not result in oviducal fluid collection. Of the 13 menstrual cycles during which tubal fluid was collected, four were apparently anovulatory. Collections from two of these as well as from three ovulatory cycles were characterized by erratic flow and mucous-blood contamination. Tubal fluids were collected without apparent technical interference or serum contamination from six ovulatory and two anovulatory cycles. Maximum volumes (1.77±.34 ml/oviduct/24 hours) of tubal fluids were collected during the 48 hours following the midcycle LH peak. Thereafter, the rate of oviducal fluid collection declined rapidly.