Abstract
Evaluation of the fluid flow pattern in a non-pregnant uterus is important for understanding embryo transport in the uterus. Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube and the embryo (fertilized ovum) enters the uterine cavity within 3 days of ovulation. In the uterus, the embryo is conveyed by the uterine fluid for another 3 to 4 days to a successful implantation site at the upper part of the uterus. Fluid movements within the uterus may be induced by several mechanisms, but they seem to be dominated by myometrial contractions. Intra-uterine fluid transport in a sagittal cross-section of the uterus was simulated by a model of wall-induced fluid motion within a two-dimensional channel. The time-dependent fluid pattern was studied by employing the lubrication theory. A comprehensive analysis of peristaltic transport resulting from symmetric and asymmetric contractions is presented for various displacement waves on the channel walls. The results provide information on the flow field and possible trajectories by which an embryo may be transported before implantation at the uterine wall.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baggott, L. M. (1997). Human Reproduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Beck, W. S. (1971). Human Design, Molecular, Cellular and Systematic Physiology, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Burns, C. and T. Parkes (1967). Peristaltic motion. J. Fluid Mech. 29, 731–743.
Chalubinski, K., J. Deutinger and G. Bernaschek (1993). Vaginosonography for recording of cycle-related myometrial contractions. Fertility and Sterility 59, 225–228.
Cibils, L. A. (1967). Contractility of the nonpregnant human uterus. Obstetrics and Gynecology 30, 441–461.
De Vries, K., E. A. Lyons, J. Ballard, C. S. Levi and D. J. Lindsay (1990). Contractions of the inner third of the myometrium. Am. J. Obstetrics Gynecol. 162, 679–682.
Fahy, U. M., D. J. Cahill, P. G. Wardle and M. G. Hull (1995). In vitro fertilization in complete natural cycle. Human Reproduction 10, 572–575.
Hafez, E. S. E. (1980). Human Reproduction Conception and Contraception, New York: Harper and Row.
Hafez, E. S. E. et al. (1975). Scanning electron microscopy of human reproductive physiology. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologia Scandinavica 40(Suppl.), 1–61.
Hendricks, C. H. (1966). Inherent motility patterns and response characteristics of the non-pregnant human uterus. Am. J. Obstetrics Gynecol. 96, 824–843.
Hung, T. and T. B. Brown (1976). Solid-particles motion in two-dimensional peristaltic flows. J. Fluid Mech. 73, 77–96.
Ivy, A. C. (1942). The functional anatomy of labor with special reference to the human being. Am. J. Obstetrics Gynecol. 44, 952–972.
Jacob, S. W and C. A. Francone (1974). Structure and Function in Man, London: W.B. Saunders Company.
Jaffrin, M. Y. and A. H. Shapiro (1971). Peristaltic pumping. Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech. 3, 13–36.
Karni, Z., W. Z. Polishuk, A. Adoni and Y. Diament (1971). Newtonian viscosity of the cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle. Int. J. Fertility 16, 185–188.
Li, M. and J. G. Brasseur (1993). Non-steady peristaltic transport in finite-length tubes, J. Fluid Mech. 248, 129–151.
Ludwig, H. and H. Metzger (1975). The Female Reproductive Tract: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Atlas, Berlin: Springer-Verlag.
Martinez-Gaudio, M., T. Yoshida and L. P. Bengtsson (1973). Propagated and non propagated myometrial contractions in normal menstrual cycle. Am. J. Obstetrics Gynecol. 115, 107–111.
Millar, H. D. and L. E. Baker (1973). A stable ultraminiature catheter-tip pressure transducer. Med. Biol. Eng. 11, 86.
Pozrikidis, C. (1987). A study of peristaltic flow. J. Fluid Mech. 180, 515–527.
Rath, H. J. (1982). Peristaltic flow through a lobe-shaped tube. Int. J. Mech. Sci. 24, 359–367.
Schueller, E. F. (1968). Ciliated epithelia of the human uterine mucosa. Obstetrics Gynecol. 31, 215–223.
Shapiro, A. H., M. Y. Jaffrin and S. L. Weinberg (1969). Peristaltic pumping with long wavelength at low Reynolds number. J. Fluid Mech. 37, 799–825.
Strohmer H., A. Obruca, K. M. Rander and W. Feichtinger (1994). Relationship of the individual uterine size and the endometrial thickness in stimulated cycles. Fertility and Sterility 61, 972–975.
Taylor, G. (1951). Analysis of the swimming of microscopic organism. Proc. Royal Soc. London A 209, 445–461.
Vander, A. J., J. H. Sherman and D. S. Luciano (1990). Human Physiology: The Mechanisms of Body Function, New-York: McGraw-Hill.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Eytan, O., Elad, D. Analysis of intra-uterine fluid motion induced by uterine contractions. Bull. Math. Biol. 61, 221–238 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1006/bulm.1998.0069
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/bulm.1998.0069