Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF ) Freely available
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (6)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Einer-Jensen, N.
Right arrow Articles by Barba, B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Einer-Jensen, N.
Right arrow Articles by Barba, B.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 12, 3060-3064, December 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Uterine first pass effect in postmenopausal women

N. Einer-Jensen1,3, E. Cicinelli2, P. Galantino2, V. Pinto2 and B. Barba2

1 Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Medical Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Winsloewparken 21,DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark, and 2 1st Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bari, I-70124 Bari, Italy

BACKGROUND: Vaginally administered drugs distribute preferentially to the uterus; counter-current transfer from the vaginal veins to the uterine artery probably plays a pivotal role. In each side, the ovarian and uterine arteries form arterial anastomoses and controversy exists regarding the origin of the arterial supply to the Fallopian tube and tubal part of the uterus, and consequently whether these tissues can be reached through vaginal administration. METHODS: A thermocatheter with four measurement points, each separated by 5 mm, was inserted under endoscopic control into the tubal corner of uterus in 10 conscious, menopausal women and the temperatures registered every 2 s. The vagina was then flushed for 15 min with 1.5 l of saline at room temperature, after which the probe position was re-assessed by the endoscope. RESULTS: The lowest measurement point (15 mm from the tip) cooled significantly more than the other points (P < 0.0001). At 15 min, mean temperature reduction at point 4 was significantly greater than at all other measurement points (P < 0.05) due to local transfer of cold from vaginal vein blood to the uterine arterial blood (but not the ovarian artery). CONCLUSIONS: The results support the theory that, at least in postmenopausal women, the uterine artery supplies most of the uterus while the corneal part of cavity (up to 5–10 mm from the ostium) receives the blood supply from the ovarian artery. This finding represents a rationale for vaginal administration of drugs when a local effect on the uterus (e.g. progestational or relaxation) in postmenopausal women is requested.

Key words: blood supply/local transfer/temperature/uterus/vagina

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: neiner-jensen{at}health.sdu.dk


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E. Cicinelli, N. Einer-Jensen, R. Alfonso, M. Marinaccio, R. Nicoletti, G. Colafiglio, and M. Bellavia
A dominant ovarian follicle induces unilateral changes in the origin of the blood supply to the tubal corner of the uterus
Hum. Reprod., November 1, 2005; 20(11): 3208 - 3211.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.Home page
E. CICINELLI, N. EINER-JENSEN, P. GALANTINO, R. ALFONSO, and R. NICOLETTI
The Vascular Cast of the Human Uterus: From Anatomy to Physiology
Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., December 1, 2004; 1034(1): 19 - 26.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E. Cicinelli, N. Einer-Jensen, M. Cignarelli, L. Mangiacotti, D. Luisi, and S. Schonauer
Preferential transfer of endogenous ovarian steroid hormones to the uterus during both the follicular and luteal phases
Hum. Reprod., September 1, 2004; 19(9): 2001 - 2004.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
E. Cicinelli, N. Einer-Jensen, B. Barba, D. Luisi, R. Alfonso, and M. Tartagni
Blood to the cornual area of the uterus is mainly supplied from the ovarian artery in the follicular phase and from the uterine artery in the luteal phase
Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2004; 19(4): 1003 - 1008.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.