For each experiment, four bovine, early luteal phase
(Days 3–5 of the estrous cycle) oviducts were obtained in a
local slaughterhouse and selected on ovarian morphology
accordingly to the method described by Ireland et al. [37,40].
The oviductswere dissected free of surrounding tissues, and
maximally 2 to 3 hours on collection, theywere processed in
the laboratory under controlled air conditions. The infundibulum
and the lower part of the uterotubal junction were
removed, and the remaining oviductal partswerewashed in
Hanks buffered saline solution (room temperature).