Magnesium and calcium concentration in the pregnant and non-pregnant myometrium.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of labor on the magnesium and calcium concentrations in the human myometrium and to compare them with the concentrations in the non-pregnant uterus.


METHODS
Samples of the isthmic part of the uterus were taken from 42 patients not in labor, 31 patients in regular labor during a cesarean section, and 37 premenopausal patients on whom a hysterectomy was performed.


RESULTS
(i) The magnesium concentration dropped significantly during labor; (ii) the calcium concentration in the tissue showed no significant changes during labor; (iii) the magnesium and calcium concentrations were significantly higher during pregnancy; (iv) the distribution of electrolytes in the myometrium differed significantly in the corpus, isthmus and cervix uteri.


CONCLUSIONS
The electrolyte concentration in the myometrium depends on the place of removal. A low magnesium concentration in the pregnant human myometrium could be a cause of premature labor.
Cunze
T
T
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Rath
W
W
Osmers
R
R
Martin
M
M
Warneke
G
G
Kuhn
W
W
D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis*; D009215:Myometrium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium