Biology of Reproduction, Vol 22, 173-178, Copyright © 1980 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Cyclic AMP and Contractility of the Human Oviduct

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Physiology, University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden

Small strips from the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers at the ampullary-isthmic junction of the human oviduct were used for recording of contractile activity in organ baths and for determination of tissue levels of cAMP after exposure to prostaglandins and adrenoceptor agonists. PGF₂ decreased cAMP levels significantly at 2.5 min in both muscle layers, concomitant with its maximal stimulatory effect on contractile activity. PGE₂, increased tissue levels of cAMP in circular strips, accompanied by inhibition of the spontaneous contractile activity. Exogenous dibutyryl cAMP as well as IBMX, an inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase activity, caused inhibition of myogenic activity in both preparations, an effect which could not be overcome by PGF₂. In longitudinal muscle specimens, the mechanical stimulation produced by PGE₂ was not accompanied by a significant alteration in cAMP concentration. Alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation, giving an excitatory mechanical response in both layers, did not affect cAMP levels. Neither was mechanical inhibition caused by -adrenoceptor agonists accompanied by alteration of tissue cAMP content. It is concluded that alteration of intracellular cAMP levels is one of the mechanisms which could regulate myogenic activity in the human oviduct and that tissue cAMP content may be influenced both by PGE₂ and PGF₂. However, altered tissue cAMP levels are not obligate for the contractile effects evoked by adrenoceptor agonists.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We thank Miss Gun Abrahamsson, Mrs. Ann Andersson, Miss Marita Lundström and Mrs. Anita Sjögren for skillful technical assistance. This investigation was supported by grants from the Torsten Södrberg and Ragnar Söderberg Foundations, The Swedish Medical Research Council (2873), Göteborgs Medical Society and The Faculty of Medicine, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

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