Contractile activity, membrane potential, and cytoplasmic calcium in human uterine smooth muscle in the third trimester of pregnancy and during labor.

Autor: Parkington, Helena C., Tonta, Mary A., Parkington, H C, Tonta, M A, Brennecke, S P, Coleman, H A
Předmět:
Zdroj: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology; Dec99, Vol. 181 Issue 6, p1445-1451, 7p, 1 Chart, 19 Graphs
Abstrakt: Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate in human tissue samples the mechanisms underlying spontaneous and prostaglandin F(2)(alpha)-induced contractions during the final trimester of pregnancy and labor.Study Design: Membrane potential and cytoplasmic calcium were recorded simultaneously with contraction in uterine strips obtained from the lower segment during cesarean delivery.Results: Between week 28 of gestation and term there was a progressive increase in the frequency of spontaneous contractions and a decrease in the negative potential of the membrane. The response to prostaglandin F(2alpha) was biphasic. The initial excitatory component remained stable toward term. A later inhibitory component, which was underpinned by increased activity of the sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase pump, decreased at the time of labor.Conclusions: There is a gradual increase in excitability in uterine muscle throughout the third trimester of human pregnancy. The initial component of the prostaglandin response is a large contraction that is kept brief by a subsequent inhibitory component of the response, which ensures that full relaxation occurs between contractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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