An Analysis of the Mechanisms of Egg Transport in the Ampulla of the Rabbit Oviduct

Ampullary transport of supravitally stained cumulus egg masses was studied in intact oviducts of anesthetized rabbits whose abdomens had been opened for observation. Following observations of normal transport, muscular activity of the ampulla was inhibited pharmacologically with Acepromazine, a preanesthetic tranquilizer. With muscle contractions blocked, egg transport continued but in a dramatically altered fashion; in the final two thirds of the ampulla the motion changed from rapid to-and-fro movements to a slow uniform prouterine movement which was attributed to ciliary activity. However, the net velocity of transport did not change when the smooth muscle was inhibited indicating that muscle contractions are at least unnecessary and perhaps ineffective for ampullary egg transport in the rabbit.