title: Ex vivo pharmacology of surgical samples of the uterosacral ligament. Part I: Effects of carbachol and oxytocin on smooth muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a previous study we observed impaired smooth muscle in the uterosacral ligament (USL) of patients with pelvic organ prolapse. The aims of the study were to describe the method of the novel microperfusion system and to determine normal function and pharmacology of smooth muscle in the USL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples from the USL were obtained during hysterectomy for benign reasons. Small stretches of connective tissue were mounted in a perfusion chamber under the stereomicroscope. Isotonic contractions of smooth muscle were monitored by digital time-lapse video and quantified by image processing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Constant perfusion with carbachol elicited tonic and pulse stimulation with carbachol and oxytocin rhythmic contractions of smooth muscle in the ground reticulum. Under constant perfusion with relaxin the tonic contraction after carbachol was abolished.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the novel microperfusion system, isotonic contractions of smooth muscle in the USL can be recorded and quantified in the tissue microenvironment on the microscopic level. The USL smooth muscle is cholinergic, stimulated by oxytocin and modulated by relaxin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Drews
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renz
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.forename: Christl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reisenauer
mesh_terms: D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018679:Cholinergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000502:physiology; D010477:Perfusion; D012065:Relaxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D059008:Time-Lapse Imaging; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D018679:Cholinergic Agonists; D010121:Oxytocin; D002217:Carbachol; D012065:Relaxin