Vaginal and uterine pressure response to semen deposition into the vagina and uterus: human study.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of semen deposition in the vagina or uterine cavity on both uterine and vaginal pressure has scarcely been reported in the literature. We investigated the hypothesis that semen deposition in the vagina or uterus effects changes in their pressure.


METHODS
The study comprised 27 healthy women volunteers (mean age 36.4 +/- 11.6 years). Both uterine and vaginal pressure were measured under basal conditions and on semen or saline deposition in the vagina and uterus.


RESULTS
Upon semen deposition in the vagina, the vaginal pressure showed no significant changes (p > 0.05) while the uterine pressure exhibited a significant intermittent rise (p < 0.05). Semen deposition into the uterine cavity caused no vaginal pressure changes (p > 0.05) while the uterine pressure exhibited an intermittent increase (p < 0.01). Saline injection into the vagina or uterus showed no significant pressure changes (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Semen deposition into the vagina or uterine cavity was associated with uterine pressure elevation that might eventually help transport the sperm to the oviduct. Further studies are required to define the substances responsible for this effect.
Shafik
A
A
Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Shafik
I A
IA
El Sibai
O
O
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D012661:Semen / Q000502:physiology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000502:physiology*
D012965:Sodium Chloride