Fertilization and the Transport of Gametes in the Pseudopregnant Rabbit

Ovulation in mammals is followed by profound changes in the morphology and physiology of the genital tract, and it is now well established that this transformation is dependent upon a swing in the balance of the follicular and luteal hormones. It may be supposed that the functional and anatomical state of the organs at any time during the cycle is suited to the requirements of the moment, so that the proper transport of gametes, fertilization and implantation, would not be expected at other than the normal times. On the other hand, Pincus & Enzmann [1936] claim to have achieved fertilization of rabbit eggs in vitro by a simple technique. They, and numerous other workers, have succeeded in culturing fertilized eggs to the early blastocyst stage. There have been many reports of naturally occurring ectopic pregnancy in a variety of animals and, on the experimental side, Nicholas [1933, 1934] and others