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.