E. Cicinelli et al., Absorption and preferential vagina-to-uterus distribution after vaginal administration of Tc-99m-pertechnetate in postmenopausal women, FERT STERIL, 76(6), 2001, pp. 1108-1112
Objective: To investigate in vivo and in humans the mechanisms and kinetics
of vagina-to-uterus distribution.
Design: Controlled clinical study.
Setting: Volunteers in an academic research environment.
Patient(s): Six postmenopausal women undergoing transabdominal hysterectomy
were selected.
Intervention(s): Women received 0.2 mL of Tc-99m-pertechnetate vaginally. I
n three patients the cervical canal was previously sealed by means of surgi
cal glue. Six postmenopausal women who had received Tc-99m-pertechnetate in
travenously for a thyroid scintigraphy were considered as a control.
Main Outcome Measure(s): Radioactivity was assessed every 30 minutes for 6
hours in the pelvis and in body regions where Tc-99m-pertechnetate normally
accumulates (thyroid, salivary glands, and stomach).
Result(s): Uterine activity appeared after 60 minutes and peaked between 12
0 to 210 minutes. These same times were observed in the patients who had a
sealed cervix. Thyroid uptake appeared after 180 minutes and peaked between
210 and 330 minutes. Uterine uptake did not occur in any of the intravenou
s patients; their thyroid uptake was rapid, appearing after 30 minutes.
Conclusion(s): Preferential vagina-to-uterus distribution, at least in post
menopausal women, is not simply due an intracanalicular passage but is medi
ated by absorption of substances and probably by a countercurrent transfer
mechanism. (Fertil Steril (R) 2001;76:1108-12. (C) 2001 by American Society
for Reproductive Medicine.).