Sex hormone effects in non-pregnant rat and human myometrium

Yuri P. Vedernikov, James R. Hartke, Mitchell A. De Long, George R. Saade, Robert E. Garfield

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To study effects of sex hormones on spontaneous contractility and on the effects of depolarizing agent potassium chloride (KCl), M-cholinoceptor and prostaglandin receptor agonists on non-pregnant rat and human uterine tissues. Study design: Uterine rings from ovariectomized rats treated with sex hormones or placebo, and uterine strips from premenopausal and postmenopausal women were equilibrated in Krebs buffer (t=37°C, pH∼7.4) for isometric tension recordings. Spontaneous contractile activity and contractions in response to KCl, eicosanoids, and acetylcholine were compared. Results: In tissues from ovariectomized rats, spontaneous contractility was increased, while KCl-induced contractions were decreased. Treatment with 17β-estradiol, but not progesterone, inhibited spontaneous contractions, but potentiated KCl evoked contractions. Treatment with 17β-estradiol did not influence responses to prostanoids in ovariectomized rats, while treatment with both sex hormones restored decreased the responses. Spontaneous contractility and responses to KCl were less in uterine tissues from postmenopausal versus premenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy partly restored the responses to KCl, prostanoids, and acetylcholine. Conclusions: Ovarian steroids modulate spontaneous contractile activity, responses to depolarization, prostanoids and M-cholinoceptor activation in non-pregnant rat and human uterine tissues in vitro.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)59-66
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Volume108
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2003

Keywords

  • 17β-Estradiol
  • Contractility
  • Progesterone
  • Prostanoids
  • Uterine tissue

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Medicine

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