Ovum Transport in the Ewe

Abstract

Ovum transport was examined using 60 mature Border Leicester X Merino ewes, the time of ovulation being determined by endoscopy. By 6 hr after ovulation, all ova had reached the middle segment of the ampulla and some had reached the ampulla-isthmus junction (AIJ). At 8 hr, most ova were located at the AIJ. By 60 hr after ovulation half of the ova had passed into the isthmus; at this time all fertilized ova were at the 8-cell stage.