Summary
-
1.
The metabolites of (−)-3H-noradrenaline (1.2 μmol l−1) formed by uteri from non-pregnant mature rabbits were, in descending order of importance, 3H-DOPEG > 3H-MOPEG > 3H-NMN > 3H-VMA (3H-DOMA not measured).
-
2.
The pattern of metabolite formation per unit mass of tissue was markedly different in uteri from 28 day pregnant rabbits due to a fourfold increase in 3H-NMN formation and a fourfold decrease in 3H-DOPEG formation. The effects of cocaine indicated that 3H-NMN was largely extraneuronal in origin and 3H-DOPEG was both neuronal and extraneuronal in origin.
-
3.
The pattern of metabolite formation in pregnant rabbit uteri closely resembled the reported pattern in uteri from ovariectomized rabbits treated with 17β-oestradiol and progesterone.
-
4.
In the rabbit oviduct and ovary, the patterns of metabolite formation, and their modification by cocaine, indicated that (−)-3H-noradrenaline was metabolised mainly by intraneuronal deamination in the oviduct and mainly by extrancuronal O-methylation in the ovary. Pregnancy did not affect (−)-3H-noradrenaline metabolism in the oviduct, but decreased the metabolism in the ovary.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- COMT:
-
Catechol-O-methyl transferase
- DOMA:
-
3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid
- DOPEG:
-
3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol
- MAO:
-
monoamine oxidase
- MOPEG:
-
3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol
- NA+DOMA:
-
noradrenaline + 3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid fraction
- NMN:
-
normetanephrine
- VMA:
-
vanillylmandelic acid
References
Alm P, Owman C, Sjöberg N-O, Thorbert G (1979) Uptake and metabolism of (3H) norepinephrine in uterine nerves of pregnant guinea pig. Am J Physiol 236:C277-C285
Dixon MJ, Massey FJ Jr (1969) Introduction to statistical analysis, 3rd edn). McGraw-Hill Book Co, New York, p 344
Head RJ, Crabb GA, Lande IS de la, Frewin DB (1977) Semiautomated catecholamine assay. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci 55:213–233
Head RJ, Kennedy JA, Lande IS de la, Crabb GA (1978) Thinlayer chromatographic separation of the 3-O-methylated metabolites of noradrenaline. J Chromatogr Sci 16:82–85
Hilliard J, Eaton LWM Jr (1971) Estradiol-17β, progesterone and 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one in rabbit ovarian venous plasma. II. From mating through implantation. Endocrinology 89:522–527
Hilliard J, Scaramuzzi RJ, Penardi R, Sawyer CH (1973) Progesterone estradiol and testosterone levels in ovarian venous blood of pregnant rabbits. Endocrinology 93:1235–1238
Jarrott B (1971a) Occurrence and properties of monoamine oxidase in adrenergic neurons. J Neurochem 18:7–16
Jarrott B (1971b) Occurrence and properties of catechol-O-methyl transferase in adrenergic neurons. J Neurochem 18:17–25
Kennedy JA, Lande IS de la, Morris R (1984) Effect of ovarian steroids on the metabolism of noradrenaline in the rabbit uterus. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 326:132–142
Lowry OH, Rosenbrough NT, Farr AL, Randall RJ (1951) Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193:265–275
Richardson GS (1966) Ovarian physiology. New England Journal of Medicine Medical Progress Series. J and A Churchill Ltd, London, pp 8–12
Rosengren E, Sjöberg N-O (1968) Changes in the amount of adrenergic transmitter in the female genital tract of rabbit during pregnancy. Acta Physiol Scand 72:412–424
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This study was supported by a grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kennedy, J.A., de la Lande, I.S. The effect of pregnancy on the metabolism of noradrenaline in reproductive organs of the rabbit. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 326, 143–147 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00517311
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00517311