STUDIES ON THE UTERUS

Abstract

III. Female rabbits prior to coitus were seen to exhibit marked or moderate uterine activity. In 2 cases of 12, however, feeble activity preceding coitus was observed. During the 10 hr. period following coitus, and before the time of ovulation, the uterine activity became greatly decreased. The decrease in activity was seen about the 5th to the 8th hr., and was still more pronounced between the 9th to 12th hrs. post coitum. During the period of pseudopregnancy, the uterus remained relatively quiescent until about the 15th to the 20th day, when activity might return. The possible factors responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the quiescent condition of the uterus are considered. IV. The intravenous injection of urine from a pregnant woman into 10 [female] rabbits regularly decreased the activity of the uterine fistula, while injection of urine from non-pregnant women into 5 5 rabbits left the activity of the uterine fistula quite unaltered or slightly increased it.