Skip to main content
British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy logoLink to British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy
. 1963 Oct;21(2):226–234. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1963.tb01520.x

Action of ouabain on the guinea-pig isolated uterus

T J Sullivan
PMCID: PMC1703827  PMID: 14081652

Abstract

Uterine activity in vitro was measured isometrically by integrating tension against time, and contractions were recorded on a kymograph using a servo-recorder. Ouabain caused a persistent contraction both of the spontaneously contracting and of the electrically stimulated uterus, the response depending upon the presence of calcium. After ouabain had induced a contraction of the spontaneously active uterus, relaxation to the baseline after washing out the ouabain was succeeded by a period of inactivity. Since the uterus could respond as usual to stimulation during this period, ouabain appeared to be selectively depressing spontaneous contractions. High concentrations of progesterone suppressed uterine activity and the response to ouabain. Ouabain reduced the susceptibility of the uterus to depression by anoxia.

Full text

PDF
229

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. CSAPO A. Dependence of isometric tension and isotonic shortening of uterine muscle on temperature and on strength of stimulation. Am J Physiol. 1954 Jun;177(3):348–354. doi: 10.1152/ajplegacy.1954.177.3.348. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. HOLLAND W. C., SEKUL A. Influence of potassium and calcium ions on the effect of ouabain on Ca45 entry and contracture in rabbit atria. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1961 Sep;133:288–294. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. KURIYAMA H., CSAPO A. A study of the parturient uterus with the microelectrode technique. Endocrinology. 1961 Jun;68:1010–1025. doi: 10.1210/endo-68-6-1010. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. MARSHALL J. M. Regulation of activity in uterine smooth muscle. Physiol Rev Suppl. 1962 Jul;5:213–227. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. NORRIS P. R. The action of cardiac glycosides on the human uterus. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1961 Dec;68:916–929. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1961.tb02838.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. SCHATZMANN H. J., ACKERMANN H. [The action of strophanthin on intestinal muscle and its relation to the cation content of the medium]. Helv Physiol Pharmacol Acta. 1961;19:196–213. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. STYLES P. R., SULLIVAN T. J. Measurement of uterine activity in vitro by integrating muscle tension. Br J Pharmacol Chemother. 1962 Aug;19:129–135. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1962.tb01433.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy are provided here courtesy of The British Pharmacological Society

RESOURCES