ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the active and passive transport mechanisms in the genital tracts of copper T-200 intrauterine device (IUD)-bearing women. (Tc-99m)HMPAO-labeled spermatozoa and (Tc-99m)-labeled albumin macrospheres were placed into the vagina at midcycle. Serial scintigraphic images were obtained over a period of 2 h. Migration of spermatozoa and particles in the genital tract and the direction of transport related to dominant follicle were evaluated. While active sperm migration was greatly inhibited, the passive transport of the particles was not affected in IUD-bearing women. The direction of radiolabeled particles and spermatozoa was toward the dominant follicle side. Passive transport was not affected, whereas active transport of spermatozoa was strongly inhibited in the genital tract by the presence of the IUD. However, the direction of active and passive transport related to dominant follicle side was unchanged in IUD-bearing women and was preferentially toward the tube ipsilateral to the dominant follicle.
