title: Effects of arginine vasotocin and prostaglandin E1 on the hen uterus.
abstract: In the domestic hen, the uterine portion of the oviduct responded in vitro to arginine vasotocin (AVT) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at all investigated stages of the egg-laying cycle. However, the uterus was less responsive to both hormones during oviposition. The injections of these hormones provoked premature oviposition and a significant pressure increase in the uterus. In vitro and in vivo AVT was a more potent uterine stimulant than PGE1. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, antagonized in vitro the contractor activity of AVT but not that of PGE1. Prostaglandin-like activity was demonstrated in the hen uterine tissue at the time of oviposition. It is concluded that AVT may cause uterine contractions via a prostaglandin activated mechanism.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D011312:Pressure; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014668:Vasotocin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D014668:Vasotocin; D007213:Indomethacin