Cannulation of the bovine ampullary and isthmic oviduct

Procedures were developed in the bovine for cannulating the ampulla and isthmus regions of the same oviduct. A total of 21 dual cannulation procedures were performed with an average patency of 103 +/- 16 days for the ampulla and 73 +/- 14 days for the isthmus. The major cause of catheter failure was avulsion. Daily fluid flow around estrus for the ampulla averaged 1.04 mL, but only 0.50 mL for the isthmus. Volumes were about half the estrus values during the luteal phase. Catheter materials used in the study were evaluated to determine their ion diffusion properties. These studies indicated that diffusion of 24Na was negligible.