The Contribution of Pre-Ovulatory Steroid Secretion on Oviductal Function and the Control of Oviductal Egg Transport Rates
Abstract
In 1972, a major research drive was begun by the World
Health Organization (W.H.O.). This drive was directed towards
the development of safe, acceptable and effective methods
for the regulation of human fertility (Harper and Pauerstein
1975). Both control methods that exist now are greatly
advanced over past methods. They are at the same time relatively
crude and fail to meet the needs of highly overpopulated
countries (Harper and Pauerstein 1975). When W.H.O.
met in 1972, all scientists that could make contributions were
invited to participate. One basic idea emerged from this
meeting and it was the basis for the research that I undertook
at the Upjohn Company. This idea is summarized in the
following. It has been repeatedly shown, mainly in animal
studies, that post-ovulatory fertility control can be achieved
by interference with ovum transport in the oviduct and by the
alteration of the implantation mechanism in the uterus by
steroidal and non-steroidal compounds (Harper and Pauersteln
1975). There are many factors that affect the transport of
ova through the oviducts of mammals. The greater the understanding
of the physiology of the oviduct and the various
mechanisms that control ovum transport, the better the methods
of contraception that will be developed.