Substance P in obstetrics and gynecology.
The occurrence and distribution of the neurohormone substance P in the urogenital tract suggest a role for substance P in regulation of blood flow, smooth-muscle activity, and sensation. The distribution and pharmacologic effects of substance P in the brain suggest an involvement of substance P in regulating the release of gonadotropins and prolactin from the pituitary and in the gonadal-hypothalamic feedback. As substance P is also present in endocrine-like cells of the diffuse endocrine system in the urogenital tract, it may serve as a tumor marker for carcinoid and related tumors, particularly in the ovary and the uterine cervix. This review is limited to the distribution and effects of substance P in the female genital tract and its relevance in female reproduction.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000196:embryology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010053:Ovary / Q000032:analysis; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011539:Pruritus Vulvae / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D013373:Substance P / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000032:analysis
D013373:Substance P