Human Reproduction Update, Vol.6, No.2 pp.132-138, 2000
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2000; all rights reserved
Physiological and pharmacological aspects of local transfer of substances in the ovarian adnexa in women
bcefdecj Department of Physiology, Institute of Medical Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark and bcecbecj University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Received on June 28, 1999accepted on January 6, 2000
Abstract
An intimate arrangement between the utero–ovarian vein and the ovarian artery has been found in many species. The anatomical structure suggests the existence of a counter-current system of exchange, and many animal experiments point to a physiological importance of this transfer system. In man, the utero–ovarian vein forms a plexus around the ovarian artery. In-vitro experiments have demonstrated a local transfer of progesterone; in-vivo experiments have proved that krypton and progesterone can be transferred from the utero–ovarian vein to the ovarian artery. The physiological and pharmacological importance of the counter-current system is still under evaluation, and further investigations are needed. It has been suggested that counter-current transfer facilitates local communication between the ovary, Fallopian tube, and uterus. This may be important in a context of luteolysis, follicular selection and maturation, fertilization, and the recognition and maintenance of pregnancy. The pharmacological and therapeutic potential may be limited, as the ovarian adnexa are relatively difficult to access. Instillation of hormones into the uterine lumen will probably induce a higher plasma concentration in the ovarian arterial blood than in peripheral arterial plasma. A culdoscopic or endoscopic approach might permit introduction of long-acting depots in the uterine fundus near the Fallopian tubes and/or ovaries.
Key words: counter-current transfer/ / Fallopian tube/ / local transfer/ / ovary/ / uterus
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