Preliminary observation on human tubal electrical activity in vivo

The authors have set up a new technique for recording the human tubal electrical activity in vivo. A polyethylene catheter was used with six couples of electrodes placed on the tube of 5 women during simple laparohysterectomy. The slow electrical activity was recorded by means of a 8-channel paper amplifying recorder for 3-5 days from surgery. The fimbria showed frequencies between 1.25 and 3.3 c/min, the ampulla showed higher frequencies (1-5 c/min), the isthmus showed little electrical activity. The propagation signal velocity ranges between 0.25 and 0.5 cm/sec. The amplitude ranges between 50 and 200 V. The propagation occurs mainly in the distal-proximal direction.