Influence of leukotriene C4 and D4 on in vitro and in vivo motility of the oviduct in the domestic hen.

In in vitro experiments on the oviduct of the domestic hen LTC4 and LTD4, in a dose range from 1.10(-10) to 1.10(-6) M/l, significantly stimulated the motility of all oviductal parts. With the lower doses, however, vaginal motility was suppressed (p less than 0.05). In in vivo experiments on the anesthetized bird i.v. bolus injections of LTC4, 1, 3, and 10 micrograms/hen, induced transient intrauterine pressure rises of up to 7 +/- 1 mm H2O. In the conscious animal i.v. bolus injections of LTD4, 10 micrograms/hen, resulted in a shortlasting increase in uterine myoelectrical activity (p less than 0.001), whereas vaginal and duodenal myoelectrical activities were inhibited. Intrauterine injections of 10 micrograms LTD4, however, had neither a significant effect on myoelectrical activity of the empty uterus nor induced premature oviposition. These experiments demonstrate for the first time that LTs exert pronounced effects on in vitro motility of the hens oviduct. The in vivo responses, however, are rather unimportant regarding as well strength as duration.