Gap junctions in the myometrium of hypophysectomized estrogen-treated rats.
Gap junctions, which appear in the myometrium at parturition, are believed to permit the flow of ions between smooth muscle-cell interiors thereby facilitating coordinated contractions. Gap junctions are not observed in thin-sectioned myometrium of immature hypophysectomized rats. Following estrogen administration, numerous gap junctions are present suggesting that this hormone is capable of promoting electrotonic coupling in uterine smooth muscle.
D000818:Animals; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007016:Hypophysectomy; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D014599:Uterus / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D004054:Diethylstilbestrol