Ovarian function in monkeys after bilateral salpingectomy.

Since ovarian dysfunction after sterilization may be of clinical importance in women, we studied whether microsurgical removal of both fallopian tubes would have adverse effects on ovarian function in the monkey. Macaca fascicularis monkeys were divided into two surgical groups: those that had undergone bilateral salpingectomy or a sham operation. Femoral blood samples were drawn before and after the operation for radioimmunoassays for progesterone. No significant difference was found between pre- and postoperative levels of the salpingectomized vs. the sham-operated group. At a second laparotomy during the luteal phase, all salpingectomized monkeys had at least one corpus luteum with a distinct stigma on one ovary, as did the sham-operated monkeys. The absence of any demonstrable endocrine change after salpingectomy makes it unlikely that any poststerilization symptoms, if they exist, are caused by the absence of tubal tissue.