Collection of oviduct fluid in heifers

The present experiments were undertaken in order to develop an alternative way of collecting oviduct fluid from heifers (n = 13). Under general anesthesia and through a midline incision, catheters were anchored in the ampullar region of the oviduct with ligatures of silk or steel and the uterotubal junction ligated. Subsequently, they were guided through the uterine wall into the lumen of one uterine horn and then transversed caudally through the cervix and vagina until they finally passed the vulva-vestibulum and could be attached to cryotubes taped to the tail. Fluid was collected daily over an average of 60 days for all animals (range 6-183). When only steel suture was used the average collection time was 99 days. The volume reached maximal values on the day of heat. In conclusion, the present experiment showed that it is possible to use alternative ways for bovine oviduct catheterization which permitted sampling without any noticable discomfort for the animals. The sampling period increased considerably when steel replaced nylon in the fixation of the catheters in the ampullar part of the oviduct.