Skip to main content

Control of Myometrial Contractility and Labor

  • Conference paper
Basic Mechanisms Controlling Term and Preterm Birth

Part of the book series: Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop ((SCHERING FOUND,volume 7))

Abstract

At the end of gestation, the uterus becomes increasingly contractile and reactive to excitatory agents to eventually reach a state in which it forcefully expels the fetus and other products of conception. This contractile state (labor) is achieved when contractions of different regions of the uterine wall become stronger, more frequent, and synchronous. The coordination of these contractions is believed to be required for the normal progression of parturition, and the absence of this activity throughout pregnancy is thought to be essential for adequate nourishment of the developing fetus (Csapo 1981).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abe Y (1968) Cable properties of smooth muscle. J Physiol (Lond) 196:7–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson NC, Ramon F (1976) Interaction between pacemaker electrical behavior and action potential mechanism in uterine smooth muscle. In: Bulbring E, Shuba MF (eds) Physiology of smooth muscle. Raven, New York, pp 53–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson B, Chow EMH, Marshall JM (1981) Calcium dependency of pregnant rat myometrium: comparison of circular and longitudinal muscle. Biol Reprod 30:869–878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer EC et al. (1989) Antisera directed against connexin 43 peptides react with a 43-dK protein localized to gap junctions in myocardium and other tissues. J Cell Biol 108:595–605

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blennerhassett MG, Garfield RE (1991) Effect of gap junction number and permeability on intercellular couplin in rat myometrium. Am J Physiol 261 (Cell Physiol):C1001–C1009

    Google Scholar 

  • Bozler E (1938) Electrical stimulation and conduction of excitation in smooth muscle. Am J Physiol 122:616–623

    Google Scholar 

  • Chwalisz K, Fahrenholz F, Hackenberg M, Garfield RE, Elger W (1991) The progesterone antagonist onapristone increases the effectiveness of oxytocin to produce delivery without changing the myometrial oxytocin receptor concentrations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 165:1760–1770

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cole WC, Garfield RE (1986) Evidence for physiological regulation of gap junction permeability. Am J Physiol 251:C411–C420

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole WC, Garfield RE, Kirkaldy JS (1985) Gap junctions and direct intercellular communication between rat uterine smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol 249:C20–C31

    Google Scholar 

  • Csapo AI. Force of labour (1981) In: Principles and practice of obstetrics and perinatology. Iffy L, Kamientzky HA (eds) John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp 761–799

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahl G, Azarnia R, Werner R (1980) De novo construction of cell-to-cell channels. In Vitro 16:1068–1075

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Demianczuk N, Towell ME, Garfield RE (1984) Myometrial electrophysiological activity and gap junctions in the pregnant rabbit. Am J Obstet Gynecol 149:485–491

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond J (1983) Lack of correlation between cyclic GMP elevation and relaxation of nonvascular smooth muscle by nitroglycerin, nitroprosside, hydroxylamine and sodium azide. J Pharm Exp Ther 225:422–426

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elger W, Chwalisz K, Fähnrich M, Hasan SH, Laurent D, Beier S, Ottow E, Neef G, Garfield RE (1990) Studies on labor conditioning and labor inducing effects of antiprogesterones in animal models. In: Garfield RE (ed) Uterine contractility: mechanisms of control. Serono Symposium, USA, pp 153–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Finn CA, Porter DG (1975) The Uterus. Elek Science, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Furchgott RF, Vanhoutte PM (1989) Endothelium derived relaxing and contracting factor. FASEB J 3:2007–2018

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE (1985) Cell-to-cell communication in smooth muscle. In: Grover AK, Daniel EE (eds) Calcium and contractility, chap 4. Human Press, Clifton, pp 143–173

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE (1988) Structural and functional studies of the control of myometrial contractility and labor. In: The onset of labor: Cellular and integrative mechanisms in the onset of labor, McNellis D, Challis J, MacDonald P, Nathanielsz P, Roberts J (eds), Perinatology Press, Ithaca, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, B’eier S (1989) Increased myometrial responsiveness to oxytocin during term and preterm labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 161:454–461

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Hayashi RH (1981). Appearance of gap junctions in the myometrium of women during labour. Am J Obstet Gynecol 140:254–260

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Sims S, Daniel EE (1977) Gap junctions: their presence and necessity in myometrium during gestation. Science 198:958–960

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Sims SM, Kannan MS, Daniel EE (1978) Possible role of gap junctions in activation of myometrium during parturition. Am J Physiol 235:C168–C179

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Rabideau S, Challis JRG, Daniel EE (1979) Hormonal control of gap junction formation in sheep myometrium during parturition. Biol Re-prod 21:999–1007

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Kannan MS, Daniel EE (1980a) Gap junction formation in myometrium: control by estrogens, progesterone and prostaglandins. Am J Physiol 238:C81–C89 (Cell Physiology 7)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Merrett D, Grover AK (1980b) Gap function formation and regulation in myometrium. Am J Physiol 239:C217–C228 (Cell Physiology 8)

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Puri CP, Csapo AI (1982) Endocrine structural and functional changes in the uterus during premature labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 142:21–27

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Gasc JM, Baulieu EE (1987) Effects of the antiprogesterone RU 486 on preterm birth in the rat. Am J Obstet Gynecol 157:1281–1285

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Blennerhassett MG, Miller SM (1988) Control of myometrial contractility: role and regulation of gap junctions. Oxf Rev Reprod Biol 10:436–490

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grover AK (1986) Role of cellular membranes in calcium-mobilization of uterine smooth muscle. The physiology and biochemistry of the uterus in pregnancy and labor. CRC Press, Huszar G (ed): pp 93–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Harbon S et al (1990) Multiple regulation of the generation of inositol phosphates and cAMP in myometrium. Garfield ER (ed) Serono Symposia, Uterine Contractility. pp 123–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Ignarro LJ, Kadowitz PJ (1985) The pharmacological and physiological role of cyclic GMP in vascular smooth muscle relaxation. Ann Rev Pharm Toxicol 25:171–191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kanda S, Kuriyama H (1980) Specific features of smooth muscle cells recorded from the placental region of the myometrium of pregnant rats. J Physiol 299:127–144

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kao CY (1989) Electrophysiological properties of uterine smooth muscle. In: Wynn RM, Jollie WP (eds) Biology of the uterus. 2nd edn. New York, Plenum Press:pp 403–54

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kawarabayashi T, Osa T (1976) Comparative investigations of alpha-and beta-effects on the longitudinal and circular muscles of the pregnant rat myometrium. Jpn J Physiol 26:403–416

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan I, Tabb T, Garfield RE, Grover AK (1991) Changes in mRNA for Ca pumps in pregnant rat uterus. Biochem Int 27:189–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuriyama H (1961) Recent studies of the electrophysiology of the uterus. In: Progesterone and the defense mechanism of pregnancy. Little Brown, Boston, Ciba Fndn Study Group Vol 9, pp 51–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuriyama H, Suzuki H (1976) Changes in electrical properties of rat myometrium during gestation and following hormonal treatments. J Physiol 260:315–333

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li CG, Rand MJ (1991) Evidence that part of the NANC relaxant response of guinea-pig trachea to electrical field stimulation is mediated by nitric oxide. Br J Pharmacol 102:91–94

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie LW, Garfield RE (1985a) Hormonal control of gap junctions in the myometrial gap junction: In vitro studies. In: Physiological Development of Fetus and Newborn, Jones C (ed), Academic Press, London, pp 411–416

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie LW, Garfield RE (1985b) Hormonal control of gap junctions in the myometrium. Am J Physiol 248:C296–C308

    Google Scholar 

  • MacKenzie LW, Garfield RE (1986) Effects of estradiol 17β on myometrial gap junctions and pregnancy in the rat. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 64:462–466

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall JM (1962) Regulation of activity in uterine smooth muscle. Physiol Rev 42:213–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall JM (1974) Effects of neurohypophysial hormones on the myometrium. In: Handbook of Physiology, Section 7: Endocrinology Vol IV: The pituitary gland, Part I, Greep RO, Astwood EB (ed) pp 469–492. American Physiological Society, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller SM et al (1989) Improved propagation in myometrium associated with gap junctions during parturition. Am J Physiol 256:C130–141 (Cell Physiology 25)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mironneau J (1973) Excitation-contraction coupling in voltage-clamped uterine smooth muscle. J Physiol 233:127–141

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mironneau J (1976) Relationship between contraction and transmembrane ionic current in voltage-clamped uterine smooth muscle. In: Physiology of Smooth Muscle. Bulbring E, Shuba MF (ed). Raven, NY, pp 175–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Mironneau J, Lalanne C, Mironneau C, Savineau JP, Lavie JL (1984) Comparison of pinaverium bromide manganese chloride and D600 effects on electrical and mechanical activities in rat uterine smooth muscle. Eur J Pharmacol 98:99–107

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mironneau J (1990) Electrical signals and uterine contractility: Ion channels and excitation-contraction coupling in myometrium. Garfield RE (ed) Serono Symposia, Uterine Contractility. pp 9–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncado S, Palmer RMG, Higgs EA (1991) Nitric oxide: physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology. Pharmacol Rev 43:109–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Osa T, Fujino T (1978) Electrophysiological comparison between the longitudinal and circular muscles of the rat uterus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Jpn J Physiol 28:197–209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peracchia C (1980) Structural correlates of gap junction permeation. Int Rev Cytol 66:81–146

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickard RS, Powell PH, Zar MA (1991) The effect of inhibitors of nitric oxide biosynthesis and cyclic GMP formation on nerve-evoked relaxation of human covernosal smooth muscle. Br J Pharm 104:755–759

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puri CP, Garfield RE (1982) Changes in hormone levels and gap junctions in the rat uterus during pregnancy and parturition. Biol Reprod 27:967–975

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds SRM (1949) Physiology of the Uterus, 2nd Edition, P.B. Hoeber Inc., NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakai N, Blennerhassett MG, Garfield RE (1992) Effects of antiprogesterones on myometrial cell-to-cell coupling in pregnant guinea pigs. Biol Reprod 46:358–365

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders KM, Ward SM (1992) Nitric oxide as a mediator of nonadrenergic noncholinergic neurotransmission. Am J Physiol 262:G379–G392

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims SM, Daniel EE, Garfield RE (1982) Improved electrical coupling in uterine smooth muscle is associated with increased numbers of gap junctions at parturition. J Gen Physiol 80:353–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Soloff MS, Alexandrova M, Fernstrom MJ (1979) Oxytocin receptors: triggers for parturition and lactation? Science 204:1313–1315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verhoeff A, Garfield RE, Ramondt J, Wallenburg H (1985) Myometrial activity related to gap junction area in periparturient and ovariectomized, estrogen-treated sheep. Acta Physiologica Hungarica 66:539–551

    Google Scholar 

  • Yallampalli C, Garfield RE (1993) Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in rats during pregnancy produces symptoms identical to preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yallampalli C, Izumi H, Garfield RE (1993) An L-arginine: nitric oxide system exists in the uterus and inhibits contractility during pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol (in press)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

K. Chwalisz R. E. Garfield

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Garfield, R.E., Yallampalli, C. (1994). Control of Myometrial Contractility and Labor. In: Chwalisz, K., Garfield, R.E. (eds) Basic Mechanisms Controlling Term and Preterm Birth. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21660-6_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21660-6_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-21662-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-21660-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics