Studies on the duration of ovum transport by the human oviduct. III. Time interval between the luteinizing hormone peak and recovery of ova by transcervical flushing of the uterus in normal women

Abstract

This article deals with attempts to time the onset and duration of the ovum's sojourn in the endometrial cavity of women. Recovery of the ovum from the uterus was attempted by means of transcervical flushing of the cavity 48 to 216 hours after the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak in plasma. A single flushing or repetitive flushings done at 24-hour intervals in the same cycle were performed in different subjects. With both modalities, the adverse effects were mild and few. Of 132 flushings done in 76 subjects, 90 were considered to be technically adequate from the point of view of recovering over 50% of the flushing volume. Twenty ova were recovered. Technically adequate flushings and adequate timing of the LH peak were accomplished in 39 cycles. In this group, 13 ova were recovered between 96 and 168 hours after the LH peak. The highest yield of ova per flushing was obtained from 120 to 168 hours with an average of 37% and a range of 25% to 50%. Limitations of the technique are discussed. Some uncertainties persist which prevent the drawing of definitive conclusions about how soon after the LH peak the egg enters the uterine cavity, how long it stays there, and what is the extent of individual variation. However, recovery rates at various times after ovulation agree with previous data derived from transfundal flushing and indicate that the ovum is usually transferred to the uterus between 96 and 120 hours after the LH peak is retained there for several days.