Abstract
Relaxin decreases oxytocin-stimulated rat myometrial contractions in vitro. This study used pregnant relaxin-deficient (Rlx-/-) mice to investigate the interaction between relaxin, oxytocin receptor (OTR), and estrogen receptor (ER) expression in the myometrium. Myometrial OTRs were significantly decreased on gestation day 18.5 in Rlx-/- mice than in Rlx+/+ mice. An increase in ERα in Rlx+/+ mice at term was correlated with a decrease in ERβ, which was not observed in Rlx-/- mice. Treatment of Rlx-/- mice with relaxin had no effect on OTR, LGR7, or ERα expression, but it caused a significant decrease in ERβs.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 104-109 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |
Volume | 1041 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2005 |
Keywords
- Estrogen receptor
- Myometrium
- Oxytocin receptor