Ciliary ovum transport through the oviductal ampulla was investigated, in vivo, by blocking smooth muscle activity. Isoproterenol eliminated rapid muscle-induced egg movements, yet the egg and its surrounding cells reached the site of fertilization within normal time limits. The role of cilia in ovum transport thus seems more important than that of the smooth muscle.

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We investigated the effect of isoproterenol on ciliary activity using a mucus-free preparation of cultured ciliated cells of the rabbit trachea. The frequency of ciliary beating was monitored by dynamic laser-scattering spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that isoproterenol directly stimulates the activity of ciliated cells of the respiratory epithelium and that this effect is beta-adrenergic specific inasmuch as the observed stimulation can be blocked by propranolol.

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