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Myometrial activity in first trimester human pregnancy after Epostane therapy. Effect of intravenous oxytocin
Author(s) -
WEBSTER M. A.,
PATTISON N. S.,
PHIPPS S. E.,
GILLMER M. D. G.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1985.tb03077.x
Subject(s) - oxytocin , myometrium , medicine , pregnancy , mifepristone , therapeutic abortion , placebo , prostaglandin , endocrinology , uterus , abortion , biology , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary. The effect on myometrial activity of Epostane, a competitive inhibitor of the 3β‐hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase enzyme system (3β‐HSD) has been studied in 20 women awaiting termination of pregnancy. The women were randomly allocated by a double‐blind procedure into two groups. In the Epostane‐treated group there were significant falls in serum progesterone and oestradiol concentrations after 3 days of treatment. The placcbo‐treated group showed a small but significant decline in serum progesterone concentration. Insertion of an intrauterine balloon catheter for pressure measurements produced significantly greater uterine activity in the Epostane‐treated group. The oxytocin response was variable and there was no significant difference between the two groups. A small rise in the peripheral plasma concentration of a prostaglandin F20r metabolite (PGFM) was observed in the placebo group following oxytocin injection. There was a significant inverse correlation between post treatment progesterone values and uterine activity. Epostane appears to sensitize the myometrium to endogenous oxytocics and this probably results from progresterone ‘withdrawal’. This effect may prove useful in potentiating the action of exogenous myometrial stimulant5, such as prostaglandins, and may have a role in the termination of early pregnancy.