title: Multiple mechanisms involved in oxytocin-induced modulation of myometrial contractility.
abstract: Oxytocin is a small peptide hormone with multiple sites of action in human body. It regulates a large number of reproduction-related processes in all species. Particularly important is its ability to stimulate uterine contractility. This is achieved by multiple mechanisms involving sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and sensitization of the contractile apparatus to Ca2+. In this paper, we review the data published by us and other groups on oxytocin-induced modulation of uterine contractility. We conclude that sensitization of contractile apparatus to Ca2+ is the most relevant physiological effect of oxytocin on human myometrium.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. a.shmygol@warwick.ac.uk
authors.forename: Anatoly
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shmygol
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gullam
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blanks
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin / Q000502:physiology; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010120:Oxytocics; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D010121:Oxytocin; D002118:Calcium