Effect of an Intrauterine Device on Sheep Oviduct Fluids: Chemical Composition and Stimulation of Spermatozoan Respiration in Vitro

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Abstract
Oviduct fluids were collected from ewes before and after an intrauterine device was inserted into one uterine horn. The cannulation of one oviduct had no effect on the length of the estrous cycle, nor did the insertion of an IUD on either day 9, 10, or 11 of the cycle have an effect on the operative cycle length. Subsequent estrous cycles were significantly (p < .05) shortened. The volume of oviduct fluids collected before and after the insertion of an IUD were not different. The presence of an IUD had no effect on oviduct fluid glucose, fructose, pyruvate, lactate, total protein, or bicarbonate. There was a tendency for lactate levels to be lower in fluids collected after an IUD was in place than before. The uptake of oxygen by incubated spermatozoa was increased by the addition of oviduct fluids collected in the absence and presence of an IUD. There was no significant difference between the effect of pre-IUD and post-IUD fluids. There was a significant (p < .01) positive correlation between the amount of lactate in the oviduct fluids and the amount of stimulation of oxygen utilization caused by the fluids. Lactate may serve as an important source of energy for spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract. It is concluded that an IUD in the ewe does not cause a change in the oviduct fluid constituents determined in this experiment.

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