Re: How long does it take an egg to go from the ovary to the uterus?

Dear Mr. Wagoner,

The egg is non-motile, as is the embryo.  However, the fallopian tube is ciliated and pushes the cell along.
The cilia activity seems to be under the positive influence of estradiol 17-beta, which drops for a few days
during mid-cycle (ovulation time) and then increases again as the follicle reorganizes as a corpus luteum several days after ovulation.
Thus the egg, or embryo if fertilization has taken place, hangs out in the fallopian tube for about 3 days (low estradiol) until
the estradiol starts to increase and the cilia sweep it down to the uterus.  Once in the uterus the embryo hangs out for about
another 3 or 4 days until it hatches and can then implant into the endometrium.  If it is an unfertilized egg, then it will be lost
a week or so later in the menstrual flow when the endometrium is sloughed off.
               

Dr. Swanson