[Control of labor onset in the human].
While the mechanism of the initiation of labor in humans has not been clarified satisfactorily, it is of major clinical interest, particularly with a view to understanding and avoiding preterm labor. Progesterone, whose role can now be determined in greater detail by the use of newly developed progesterone antagonists, and estrogens both play a role. Recently, attention has focused not only on contraction-stimulating substances such as oxytocin and prostaglandins, but also on cytokines, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm labor related to intrauterine infection. A model describing the various steps leading to regular uterine contractions is discussed and the resulting implications on stimulation and inhibition by pharmacological substances are outlined.
Husslein
P
P
Abt. Geburtshilfe und Gynäkologie, Univ. Frauenklinik Wien.
Egarter
C
C
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007745:Labor Onset / Q000502:physiology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D004967:Estrogens; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011374:Progesterone; D010121:Oxytocin
Uber die Ursachen des Wehenbeginns beim Menschen.