EFFECTS OF AN OIL CONTRAST-MEDIUM ON FERTILIZATION IN THE OVIDUCT IN RABBITS

The influence of an oil contrast medium on fertilization in rabbit ovi ducts was investigated. The oil contrast medium (Lipiodol-UF) was inje cted into the catheterized oviducts of anaesthetized animals, and they were mated 1, 3, 5 or 7 days later. When mating took place 1 day afte r injection, none of the ova that were subsequently recovered were fer tilized; the fertilization rates when mating occurred 3, 5 or 7 days a fter injection of the medium were 78.9, 90 and 100%. Fertilization wit hin the oviduct was, thus, impaired by the injection of oil contrast m edium, but appeared to be fully recovered 7 days later.