Endocrine Abstracts

Prostaglandins are important mediators of reproductive function. However, comparative differences in functional prostanoid receptors during gestation and postpartum are not fully explored. The aim of this study was to compare the responsiveness to PGF2α, PGE2, and U46619 in the rat uterine horn at late gestation and postpartum. Rats were sacrificed at late gestation (n=5–6) and at postpartum (n=5–6). Uterine horns were opened longitudinally, cleare...

The aim of the investigation was to evaluate the effect exogenous of 17-β-estradiol propionate (E2) on working memory as assessed by the novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm following intermittent or delayed E2 regimens.15 rats were ovariectomised under anaesthesia and were divided into 3 groups namely: (1) vehicle (2) intermittent E2 dosing weeks 1–6 and 13–18, with no treatment weeks 7–12 and (3) delayed (no treatment in weeks 1&...

Background: 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 substantial elevation of endogenous serum hormone levels, depending on concentration; oestradiol can be either neurologically protective or toxic. This investigation aimed to increase understanding of the influence of sex steroids on memory and attention dur...

Background: Ovarian steroid action is not limited to the gonadal–pituitary–hypothalamic axis. A recent pre-clinical investigation by Sutcliffe et al. (2007) suggests female sex steroids influence learning and memory strategies. However, data from human trials involving various hormone replacement regimens and assessment of memory in pregnancy appear equivocal.Pregnancy allows overriding of regulatory feedback loops leading to elevation o...

Although oxytocin is a potent stimulant of myometrial contractions, its role in parturition is controversial. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the functional mechanisms of oxytocin receptors in isolated human myometrium before and after labour-onset.Myometrial biopsies were obtained from consenting women (aged 21–34 years) undergoing Caesarean section at term pregnancy, not in labour (n=6), or in early (n=6) or late (n<...

Dysfunctional prostanoid and oxytocin receptors have been implicated in the development of myometrial hyperactivity, causing dysmenorrhoea and infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the topographical differences in functional contractile PG and oxytocin receptors in mid-cycle isolated myometrium.Longitudinal, full-thickness sections of the anterior uterus were obtained from consenting pre-menopausal donors (aged 39–48 years) un...

The aim of this study was to simultaneously profile, using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS), prostanoids (PG) produced in samples of: pregnant preterm non labouring (PTNL); term non labouring (TNL): and term labouring (TL) myometrium.Lower segment samples were obtained at Caesarean section from consenting pregnant women (18–36 years of age) at term (38–41 weeks) and preterm (33 weeks) gestation. Sample...

The aim of this study was to simultaneously profile, using electrospraionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS), prostanoids (PG) produced in the pregnant labouring (L) and non labouring (NL) myometrium.Lower segment samples were obtained at Caesarean section from consenting pregnant women (18–36 years of age) at term gestation (38–41weeks). Samples were transported to the laboratory and immediately bathed in physiological ...

Both prostaglandin (PG) E2 and oxytocin are used clinically in the induction of labour. However, the functional co-expression of inhibitory PGE2 receptors (EP2) and contractile oxytocin receptors in lower segment myometrium is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to elucidate EP2 agonist effects on oxytocin-induced myogenic contractions and to identify their combined action on intracellular calcium (Ca2+)...