Radioactivity in cervical mucus after intraperitoneal deposition of Tc-99m labelled albumin particles before and after sterilisation.
OBJECTIVE
To study the transport of radiolabelled albumin particles from the pouch of Douglas to cervical mucus.


METHODS
A prospective randomised study, including 10 healthy women, undergoing laparoscopic sterilization. A solution of human serum albumin particles, labelled with Technetium 99(m) (Tc-99(m)) was injected into the pouch of Douglas, either before or after sterilisation.


RESULTS
Gamma camera images showed gradual spread to the entire peritoneal cavity. Blood samples, showed increasing levels of radioactivity. Measurement of radioactivity in cervical mucus showed significant activity both in women sterilized before and after the deposition.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed evidence of transport of radioactivity from the pouch of Douglas to cervical mucus. The transport seemed to consist of free activity since no radionuclide labelled particles could be detected in cervical mucus. The transport was probably haematogenous or lymphatic and not intraluminal through the fallopian tube. Further studies utilizing particles comparable in size to fertilized ova are required to design methods for evaluating the transport from the fallopian tube to the uterine cavity.
Wånggren
Kjell
K
Division for Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. kjell.wanggren@ks.se
Lundberg
Steffan
S
Lundberg
Hans Jerker
HJ
Asard
Per Erik
PE
Wramsby
Håkan
H
D000328:Adult; D001345:Autoradiography; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007553:Isotope Labeling; D010316:Particle Size; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013246:Sterilization, Tubal; D013667:Technetium / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D012709:Serum Albumin; D011374:Progesterone; D013667:Technetium