Open AccessOxytocin, Prostaglandins, and Contractility of the Human Uterus at Term Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Wikland M.,
Lindblom B.,
Wilhelmsson L.,
Wiqvist N.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016348209156592
Subject(s) - myometrium , contractility , oxytocin , medicine , prostaglandin , uterus , pregnancy , endocrinology , uterine contraction , prostaglandin f , endogeny , biology , genetics
Abstract. The contractile properties of myometrial “mini‐strips” from the upper and lower uterine segments were studied by a superfusion technique. These samples of myo‐metrium were taken from women delivered by elective ce‐sarean section in the 39th week of pregnancy. The frequency of spontaneous contractions was significantly higher in isthmic myometrial specimens than in corpus specimens, whereas amplitude and duration of contractions did not differ. Both isthmic and corpus myometrium were stimulated by prostaglandin E 2 at low concentrations and inhibited at high concentrations. PGF 2α induced an ex‐citory response in the isthmic strips but surprisingly not in preparations from the corpus. However, PGF 2α restored normal spontaneous activity following inhibition of the contractility with indomethacin. Oxytocin caused an ex‐citory response over a wide concentration range in both types of specimen and this response was not reduced by pretreatment with indomethacin. These findings suggest that endogenous prostaglandin synthesis is a necessary prerequisite for spontaneous myometrial activity at term pregnancy and that prostaglandins are not essential for the excitatory effect of oxytocin.