Human oviductal fluid proteins.

The popularity of mini-laparotomy provided an opportunity to easily collect human oviductal fluid (HOF). Volumes of HOF produced by two oviducts per 24 hours correlated positively with serum estradiol determinations, while protein concentration in HOF was inversely proportional to estrogen levels. Estrogen appeared to stimulate the production of oviductal fluid in women. The greatest volumes of HOF were observed at midcycle, coincident with the estrogen peak. Protein concentration was lowest at the time of ovulation and highest immediately before and after menstruation. In a large percentage of patients, certain proteins made their appearance at the time of ovulation and receded or disappeared within three to five days thereafter. By electrophoresis, these proteins were seen in the albumin region and in the beta globulin region.