Physiological and pharmacological aspects in the oviductal function in mammals.

MANUEL VILLALON, MARÍA GRACIA GERVASI, DANIELA CARREÑA AND SILVINA PEREZ MARTINEZ

Inflammatory mediators involved in normal and pathological pregnancies

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Lugar: Kerala, India; Año: 2009;

  The mammalian oviduct is the place where the gametes are transported in opposite directions simultaneously towards the site of fertilization. It also provides a suitable environment for pre-implantation development and transport of the embryo to the uterus. After fertilization, zygotes are passively transported to the uterus by a series of closely coordinated mechanical events where activities of cilia and smooth muscle predominate. Passage of the embryo from the oviduct to the uterus is regulated and timed by ovarian hormones, signals associated with mating, and zygotic substances. This chapter is a review and an update of most aspects of the molecular pathways governing oviductal functions. The use of pharmacological tools to study the effect of various drugs in the oviduct has improved our understanding of the mechanisms involved in crucial reproductive events taking place in this organ.