Shortening increases spontaneous contractility in myometrium from pregnant women at term. uri icon

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether shortening alters spontaneous contractility in myometrial strips that are obtained from pregnant women. STUDY DESIGN: Isometric contractions were measured in myometrial strips that were obtained at cesarean delivery from 14 pregnant women at term. After 2 hours of stretching, the strip lengths were decreased by 4%, 6%, or 8%. Spontaneous contractility was measured for 120 minutes with or without prostaglandin synthase inhibitor indomethacin (10 -5 mol/L), and the cumulative concentration response to oxytocin was determined. RESULTS: Contractility was increased by 29% and 34% in strips that shortened by 4% and 6%, respectively. Preincubation with indomethacin increased contractility by 15% in stretched strips and decreased contractility by 30% and 19% in 4% and 6% strips, respectively. Contraction frequency was increased by 26% and 53% for the strips that were shortened to 6% and 8%, respectively. These increases were prevented by indomethacin. The oxytocin responses were similar at all lengths. CONCLUSION: Shortening of myometrial strips from pregnant women at term increases spontaneous contractility by a mechanism that apparently involves prostaglandins.

published proceedings

  • Am J Obstet Gynecol

altmetric score

  • 3

author list (cited authors)

  • Hurd, W. W., Gibbs, S. G., Ventolini, G., Horowitz, G. M., & Guy, S. R.

citation count

  • 10

complete list of authors

  • Hurd, William W||Gibbs, Shawn G||Ventolini, Gary||Horowitz, Gary M||Guy, Stephen R

publication date

  • April 2005