Peristaltic contractions of the murine urogenital sinus

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Abstract
Urogenital sinuses from 14‐ to 17‐day old embryonic mice were grown in vitro for six days. Fourteen‐day old urogenital sinuses exhibited weak, irregular peristaltic contractions, while in explants from 15‐ to 17‐day old embryos peristaltic contractions were forceful and regular in rhythm. Neither testosterone dipropionate nor Cyproterone acetate substantially influenced contractile activity whereas estradiol was slightly inhibitory. Exposure to cytochalasin‐B resulted in a complete, but reversible inhibition of peristalsis. The initiation of peristaltic contractions correlated well in time with the presumed onset of urine production by the developing kidneys, and it is suggested that these peristaltic contractions may facilitate urine transport from the kndneys to the amnionic cavity.