Uterine contractility and directed sperm transport assessed by hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG) and intrauterine pressure (IUP) measurement

Background. Uterine peristalsis sustains sperm transport and can be detected by hysterosalpingoscintigraphy (HSSG). This study is the first to be designed to investigate utero-tubal transport function by HSSG and uterine contractility by intrauterine pressure measurement (IUP) consecutively on the same day in the periovulatory phase. Methods. Twenty-one female subjects (mean age 28.4 years) without a gynecologic history were examined sequentially by HSSG and IUP on the same day to evaluate uterine contractility in relation to the utero-tubal transport function. In HSSG, intact transport function was visualized by the rapid uptake of 99 m -technetium-marked albumin aggregates through the female genital tract. In IUP, the frequency of uterine contractions (UC/min), amplitude of uterine contractions and basal pressure tone were detected via a intrauterine catheter. HSSG and IUP were embedded in cycle monitoring with measurement of LH and estradiol. Results. In HSSG, a positive transport of inert particles wa...