Search for Arteriovenous Shunts in the Genital Tract of the Pseudopregnant Rabbit

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Abstract
Evidence is presented indicating that, in the pseudopregnant rabbit, no demonstrable arteriovenous shunts are found in the ovary [endocrine gland]. Blood flow was distributed evenly to all paired organs investigated (ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns) throughout pseudopregnancy. The perfusion rate of luteal and extraluteal tissue during pseudopregnancy is shown. Identical ovarian perfusion rates were obtained when both microspheres were used. In mid pseudopregnancy the perfusion rate to the corpus luteum was significantly higher than in early or late pseudopregnancy (P < 0.05) and accounted for 95% of the total ovarian perfusion rate. In contrast, the extraluteal perfusion rate was unchanged throughout the period of pseudopregnancy studied. An increase in the perfusion rate of the oviduct and uterus was seen in late pseudopregnancy. In contrast to all other organs studied, a significant difference in perfusion rates obtained by the 2 different microspheres was found only in the uteri of late pseudopregnancy (P < 0.05).