Biol Reprod Keystone Symposia Conference on Frontiers in Reproductive Biology & Regulation of Fertility.
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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 21, 999-1007, Copyright © 1979 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Hormonal Control of GAP Junction Formation in Sheep Myometrium during Parturition

R. E. GARFIELD 1, S. RABIDEAU 1, J. R.G. CHALLIS 2, , and E. E. DANIEL 1

1 Department of Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4J9
2 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5A5


The ultrastructure of myometrial tissues from nonpregnant, pregnant and postpartum sheep was quantitatively examined for the presence of gap junctions between smooth muscle cells. Serum concentrations of estrone, estradiol and progesterone were determined in some of the sheep prior to and at the time of sacrifice. Gap junctions were not present in any tissue from nonpregnant animals or in tissues of pregnant animals at 74-100 days gestation. Small gap junctions were present in some of the tissues from pregnant animals at 127-132 days gestation. Larger gap junctions were present in increased frequency in animals at term and immediately postpartum. The formation of gap junctions correlated with a rise in fetal estrogens, a fall in maternal progesterone and increases in fetal and maternal estrogen/progesterone ratios. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the hormonal changes which occur near the end of pregnancy bring about the formation of gap junctions and the activation of the myometrium.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Supported by International Planned Parenthood Federation, World Health Organization, Medical Research Council of Canada (Grants MA 6086, 6070 and PG 8) and by a Canada MRC Scholarship to J.R.G.C. and a Canada MRC Studentship to S.R. We thank Chantal Morin, Ghislaine Dulac and Debbie Merrett for technical help. R.E.G. is a Senior Fellow of Ontario Heart Foundation.

Submitted on March 30, 1979
Accepted on August 10, 1979




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Copyright © 1979 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.