Abstract
In an attempt to obtain evidence regarding Sampson's 1 theory for the etiology of adenomas of endometrial type found in the lower abdominal cavity, the cervical portion of the uterus in several bitches was occluded under aseptic precautions. It was hoped that the periodic sanguinous uterine discharge would thus be forced to find its way through the Fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity. Then, if adenomas lined by Müllerian epithelium were found, it would be reasonable to believe that the uterine discharge contributed to their formation. However, successive laparatomies after the œstral period showed that the material did not leave the uterus, but simply distended that organ. Obviously the question arose as to the nature of that mechanism which allowed spermatozoa to pass at one time but prevented secretions from passing at another. Accordingly, injections with India ink were directed into the cornu of the uterus towards the Fallopian tube in the cat. It was found that when the uterus was small and the ovaries showed no large follicles, ink would pass into the tube but under great difficulty, a pressure of 280 mm. of mercury being frequently necessary. On the other hand, in the same animal, injections into the isthmus of the tube and directed towards the cornu passed easily into the uterus. However, when the uterus was large and swollen, and when relatively large follicles appeared in the ovary, then the passage from uterus to tube was easy. Experiments along the same lines on the dog and guinea pig have so far indicated the same general phenomenon.
The recent report of Rubin 2 on the various pressures necessary for transuterine insufflation of the tubes at various stages in the intermenstrual period of the same individual, is in harmony with the general principle obtained from work on the lower mammals.
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