The polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture Aroclor 1242 (A1242) increases frequency of contractions of pregnant rat uteri, suggesting a possible mechanism for decreased gestational age and increased spontaneous abortion in women and animals exposed to PCBs. In the present study, we hypothesized that A1242-induced stimulation of uterine contraction is mediated by arachidonic acid released by pho...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of uterine electrical activity in normal and arrested labors. STUDY DESIGN From a database of electrohysterograms, 12 subjects who underwent cesarean delivery for active-phase arrest were each matched with 2 vaginally delivered controls. Using 30-minute segments of the electrohysterogram during the arrest, or t...

background: citrus aurantium is a small citrus tree, with scented white flowers. the c. aurantium is used in asian herbal medicine primarily to treat digestive problems. objective: the goal of this study is to investigate the effect of c. aurantium flower's aqueous extract on uterine contraction in presence of some known uterus stimulants. materials and methods: in experimental study 30 virgin ...

Measurement of uterine contraction frequency has been employed as a screening test to identify women with increased risk of preterm birth, and as an aid in the early diagnosis of preterm labor. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (NICHD MFMU) Network performed a prospective, blinded observational study of uterine contraction frequency to de...

Dysmenorrhea is directly related to elevated PGF(2alpha) levels. It is treated with nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in Western medicine. Since NSAIDs produce many side effects, Chinese medicinal therapy is considered as a feasible alternative medicine. Adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf.) has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for treating dysmenorrhea. However,...

Brown A, Cornwell T, Korniyenko I, Solodushko V, Bond CT, Adelman JP, Taylor MS. Myometrial expression of small conductance Ca -activated K channels depresses phasic uterine contraction. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 292: C832–C840, 2007; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00268.2006.—Mechanisms regulating uterine contractility are poorly understood. We hypothesized that a specific isoform of small conductance Ca...

Throughout most of pregnancy, uterine quiescence is maintained by increased progesterone receptor (PR) transcriptional activity, whereas spontaneous labor is initiated/facilitated by a concerted series of biochemical events that activate inflammatory pathways and have a negative impact on PR function. In this study, we uncovered a previously undescribed regulatory pathway whereby micro-RNAs (mi...

Background Uterine rupture in a term pregnancy is an adverse and rare event with serious maternal and fetal consequences. The history of uterine septum resection is considered as a risk factor for uterine rupture. Women with such circumstances are thus recommended to be considered as having a high-risk pregnancy. Accordingly, their prenatal care should be implemented in shorter intervals during...