Endocrine Abstracts

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 acts through its receptors (EP1–4) to modulate myometrial contractions and cervical ripening at term gestation. Although uterine PGE2 biosynthesis is augmented with labour progression (Durn et al. 2008); functional EP1–4 receptors have yet to be determined. To characterise these receptors in gravid human myometrium, in vitro responses to selective and novel EP agonists were investigated b...

Prostaglandin E (EP) receptors have been characterised in human myometrium from non-pregnant and pregnant (non-labouring) donors (Senior et al. 1991; 1993). However. the response to PGE2 in tissue taken at labour has not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to compare myogenic activity and the effects of PGE2 in myometrium from donors at different stages of the menstrual cycle and at pregnancy (labouring and non-labouring).<p cla...

Background: The influence of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis is not limited to reproduction. Female sex steroids influence learning and memory and the neurobiology of brain regions involved in memory processing such as the hippocampus. Pregnancy allows overriding of regulatory feedback loops leading to elevation of endogenous serum hormone levels, depending on concentration; oestradiol can be either neurologically protective or toxic. This investigation aims to increas...

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and a PGE analogue, sulprostone with isoprenaline (β1/β2 agonist) on mouse uterine tissue taken during labour.Uterine tissue was taken and set up for superfusion (Krebs’ solution at 2 ml/min and 37°C) as previously described by Senior et al (1991). After allowing the tissue to equilibrate for approximately 20 ...

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 acts through its receptors (EP1–4) to influence uterine contractility during gestation and parturition. The aim of the present study was to identify functional EP receptor targets in isolated myometrium from term pregnant, non-labouring donors by use of specific and novel EP agonists.Biopsies of human myometrium were obtained at elective caesarean section from consenting term pregnant women, not in labour ...