Stimulation by oxytocin of prostaglandin f levels in uterine venous effluent in pregnant and puerperal sheep.
The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of oxytocin on prostaglandin F (PGF) concentrations in uterine venous effluent. PGF was measured in utero-ovarian venous plasma from three pregnant ewes and in posterior vena caval plasma from two puerperal ewes, during oxytocin administration. Oxytocin caused 4.9 - 5.3-fold increases in PGF concentrations in the pregnant animals, the response increasing towards term. In the puerperal animals oxytocin caused 3.7 - 17.2-fold increases in PGF concentrations with a marked latency in the response. Measurement of uterine activity and progesterone and total unconjugated oestrogen concentrations indicated that neither uterine contractions nor a decreased uterine blood flow accounted for the elevated PGF levels stimulated by oxytocin.
D000818:Animals; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012756:Sheep; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013997:Time Factors; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects
D004967:Estrogens; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011374:Progesterone; D010121:Oxytocin