Use of hydrophilic guide wires in the fallopian tubes: effect on sperm survival and mouse embryo development.

Hydrophilically coated guide wires from two different manufacturers were tested in vitro for potential use in the fallopian tubes. Incubation of the guide wires and scrapings from the guide wires with sperm and with mouse embryos did not show any deleterious effect on sperm survivability or embryo development. These "slippery" guide wires may prove useful for fallopian tube catheterization.