PATENCY OF THE UTEROTUBAL JUNCTION OF THE RABBIT: EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATIONS WITH THE AID OF CO2 INSUFFLATION (RUBIN METHOD)1

THE FOLLOWING experiments were undertaken to obtain a clearer under′ standing of the mechanical and physiological factors involved in the patency of the uterotubal junction of the rabbit, as determined by uterotubal insufflation. The special object of this study was to find an explanation of the noninflammatory obstructions, so often encountered in clinical uterotubal insufflations. Though conditions in the rabbit are no entirely analogous to those in human beings, the degree of patency and the structure of the utero′ tubal junction are similar in many respects. The conflicting reports an theo′ ries so far presented warrant further study of this subject. The material for this study consisted of 48 mature rabbits, weighing from 2 to 4 kg. They were anesthetized by the intravenous injection of nembutal solution, 1 grain to 2.2 kg., and laparotomised. The genital tract was exposed, so that the exact time at which insufflated gas passed