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Decrease of oxytocin receptors in uterine muscle during labor started or strengthened by oxytocin
Updated
Abstract
The concentration of myometrial oxytocin receptors decreased from 477 fmol mg(-1) protein before labour to 118 fmol mg(-1) protein during oxytocin-induced labour.
- Oxytocin receptors in the myometrium may undergo desensitization during labour.
- Receptor concentration dropped significantly during prolonged oxytocin-augmented and oxytocin-induced labour.
- Oxytocin receptor mRNA levels decreased by 60-fold during oxytocin-augmented labour and 300-fold during oxytocin-induced labour.
- Findings suggest that oxytocin infusion could lead to reduced receptor availability in vivo.
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