Inhibition of spontaneous contractility of the human and the rabbit fallopian tube by potassium.
Spontaneous contractions of circular and longitudal muscle of the ampulla and isthmus of human and rabbit Fallopian tubes were recorded isometrically. Addition of K+ to tissue in K+-free medium always caused immediate inhibition of spontaneous contractility. K+-induced inhibition was prevented by ouabain and reversed by removal of K+. It is suggested that K+ caused inhibition of contractility by activating electrogenic Na+ pumping with resultant hyperpolarization of the muscle cells.
D000818:Animals; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D010066:Ovum Transport; D011188:Potassium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D010042:Ouabain; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium