The Fallopian Tubes

I Discovery of the Fallopian Tubes and Subsequent Historical Landmarks.- Ancient Interpretations.- Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Views.- Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Advances.- Twentieth Century Studies: Experimental Trends.- References.- II Development of the Fallopian Tubes and Their Functional Anatomy.- Embryonic Derivation of the Fallopian Tube.- Vascular Anatomy of the Tube.- The Lymphatic System.- Musculature and Innervation.- Mucosa: Cilia and Secretory Cells.- References.- III Fallopian Tube Fluid: The Physiological Medium for Fertilization and Early Embryonic Development.- Dynamics of Tubal Fluid Accumulation.- Direction of Fluid Flow.- Composition of Tubal Fluids.- Regional and Microenvironments.- Hormones Detected in Tubal Fluids.- References.- IV Transport of Gametes, Selection of Spermatozoa, and Gamete Lifespans in the Female Tract.- Shedding and Initial Transport of Eggs.- Deposition and Transport of Spermatozoa.- Pre- and Peri-Ovulatory Sperm Distribution Within the Isthmus.- Intra-Peritoneal Insemination.- Sperm Selection in the Female Tract.- Gamete Lifespans in the Female Tract.- References.- V Denudation of Eggs, Capacitation of Spermatozoa, and Fertilization - Normal and Abnormal.- and Chemotaxis.- Denudation and Final Maturation of Eggs.- Fertilizin-Antifertilizin Reactions at the Egg Surface.- Binding Sites for Spermatozoa on the Zona Pellucida.- Capacitation of Spermatozoa, the Acrosome Reaction and Hyperactivation.- Penetration of the Zona and Fusion of Gametes.- Activation of the Egg and Block to Polyspermy.- Synchrony of Penetration and Cleavage.- Abnormalities of Fertilization.- Fate of Redundant Gametes.- References.- VI Development of the Embryo and Influences on the Maternal System.- Developmental Stages in the Fallopian Tube.-Nutritional Aspects of Embryonic Development.- Early Pregnancy Factors.- Experimental Modification of Tubal Development.- Organization of the Embryo: Some First Steps.- References.- VII Transport of Embryos to the Uterus: Normal and Abnormal Timing.- Progression of Embryos Within the Fallopian Tube.- Mechanisms Regulating Passage of Embryos.- Pharmacological Disturbance of Egg Transport.- Delayed Transport in the Aetiology of Tubal Pregnancy.- References.- VIII Malfunction of the Fallopian Tubes: Spontaneous Conditions and Surgical Studies.- Anomalies of the Fallopian Tubes.- Ectopic (Tubal) Pregnancy.- Intra-Uterine Fertilization and Estes' Operation.- Tubal Resection and Reconstructive Surgery.- Microsurgery and Subsequent Pregnancy.- References.- IX In Vitro Fertilization, Manipulation of Eggs and Embryos, and Subsequent Transplantation.- Historical Aspects.- Experimental Conditions for In Vitro Fertilization.- Clinical Approach to In Vitro Fertilization.- Embryo Culture and Transplantation into the Uterus.- Alternative Approaches to Infertility.- Sperm-Penetration of Zona-Free Oocytes.- Other Cellular and Nuclear Manipulations.- References.- X Are the Fallopian Tubes Essential? A Biological Perspective.