Table 1.

Gene expression of contractile associated proteins and calcium ion channel in the myometrium. The gene expression levels of CAPs (oxytocin receptor, connexin 43, and PGF2α) and L-type calcium (Ca²⁺) channel in the myometrium were determined using real-time RT-PCR in each group (control, Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g.) and P.g. + progesterone (P4)). Experiments were performed in duplicate using eight tissue samples. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at *: p < 0.05, compared P.g. with the control or: ^†: p < 0.05, P.g. + P4 with P.g., respectively. Values represent the mean  ±  SD (n  = 8).

	Control	P.g.	P.g. + P4
Oxytocin receptor	0.33 ± 0.30	1.10 ± 0.56 *	0.34 ± 0.14 †
Connexin 43	0.34 ± 0.19	1.11 ± 0.50 *	0.44 ± 0.18 †
PGF2α	0.25 ± 0.09	0.61 ± 0.11 *	0.45 ± 0.15
L type Ca2+ channel	1.39 ± 0.32	3.79 ± 1.77 *	1.16 ± 0.37 †

* p < 0.05 (comparison of P.g. with control), ^† p < 0.05 (comparison of P.g. + P4 with P.g.).