Physiological study of the human mesotubarium ovarica

The human mesotubarium ovarica has been shown to contain bundles of smooth muscle cells. Its contractility at various phases of the menstrual cycle was studied in vitro in 51 tissue strips obtained at laparotomy. The strips obtained at the ovulatory phase showed the greatest spontaneous contractile activity as well as the greatest contractile response to norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin F2 alpha. This corresponds to the increased contractility of the ovary at this phase of the cycle. It is suggested that these contractile actions may, under the influence of chemical transmitters, play a role in ovum pick-up by the tubal fimbria at ovulation.