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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 30, 869-878, Copyright © 1984 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

ARTICLES

Calcium dependency of pregnant rat myometrium: comparison of circular and longitudinal muscle

B Bengtsson, EM Chow and JM Marshall

The purpose of this study was to determine if the changes in spontaneous contractions of circular uterine muscle during pregnancy were related to alterations in calcium (Ca) sensitivity or dependence. Circular muscle (CM) and longitudinal muscle (LM) segments from rats on Days 16-17 of gestation and at term were compared with respect to: sensitivity of potassium (K)-induced contractions to changes in extracellular Ca, and rate and magnitude of decrease of K- and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions in Ca-free medium and in methoxyverapamil (D-600). The effects of low Ca and D-600 on spontaneous electrical activity of CM were also studied. Ca sensitivity was no different in CM and LM and did not change between Day 16 and term. There was no difference in the Ca-dependence of K- or ACh-induced contractions during this time. Potassium contractions declined more rapidly than ACh contractions in Ca-free media, especially in CM. Spontaneous action potentials in CM were Ca-dependent and disappeared in low Ca or D-600 on Days 16-17 and at term. Therefore the changes in contractions of CM during pregnancy are not related directly to Ca sensitivity or dependence, but indirectly via Ca modulation of the action potentials.


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D. Bani, M. C. Baccari, S. Nistri, F. Calamai, M. Bigazzi, and T. B. Sacchi
Relaxin Up-Regulates the Nitric Oxide Biosynthetic Pathway in the Mouse Uterus: Involvement in the Inhibition of Myometrial Contractility
Endocrinology, October 1, 1999; 140(10): 4434 - 4441.
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Copyright © 1984 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.