OBJECTIVE: To investigate the contractile response of the perfused swine uterus to various receptor pathways (oxytocin, prostaglandins, and muscarine). DESIGN: An extracorporeal perfusion model of the swine uterus was used that keeps the uterus in a functional condition and is appropriate for the study of physiologic questions. INTERVENTION(S): Oxytocin-, prostaglandin-, and carbachol-induced uterine contractility and peristalsis were assessed using an intrauterine double-chip microcatheter. SETTING: University hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Intrauterine pressure profiles. RESULT(S): A dose-dependent increase in intrauterine pressure (IUP) in the isthmus uteri and corpus uteri was observed after the administration of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) and oxytocin, which reached a plateau after further stimulation. A dose-dependent increase in IUP in the isthmus uteri and corpus uteri was also observed after the administration of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), with a plateau in IUP in the middle-concentration range and a decrease during the further course of stimulation. After administration of PGE(1), PGE(2), and PGF(2alpha), different directions of contraction waves were also observed. Carbachol also showed a unique contractility pattern, with isolated, very powerful, dose-dependent contractions with an IUP gradient, suggesting directed transport from the upper region to the lower region. CONCLUSION(S): This study demonstrated that oxytocin, the prostaglandins, and carbachol modulate contractility in nonpregnant swine uteri in a characteristic way, resulting in different contractility patterns.
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