Electrical activity of the oviduct of the laying hen during egg transport

Electrical activity in the oviduct wall of the laying hen was studied. The frequency of spike discharges increased in the magnum and isthmus when the egg approached close to the recording sites. The frequency of discharge remained high in the magnum until the egg had passed, but it decreased in the isthmus during the stay of the egg. In the uterus, a relatively high activity was found immediately after oviposition and this was followed by low activity for about 5 h. Electrical activity began to increase again and reached maximum 1-2 h after the egg entered the uterus. The direction of propagation of electrical activity in the magnum was determined by using two electrodes and was towards the ovary or towards the uterus for periods of several minutes.