BACKGROUND Uterine contractile activity plays an important role in many and varied
reproductive functions including sperm and embryo transport, implantation, menstruation …

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels are present in the surface and internal
membranes of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells and provide a unique feedback …

Context: Progesterone promotes uterine relaxation during pregnancy and its withdrawal
induces labor. Progesterone withdrawal in human parturition is mediated in part by changes …

Pharmacologic stimulation of uterine contractions and the use of agents to promote cervical
ripening are common procedures in obstetric practice. Oxytocin and prostaglandins are the …

Abnormalities in the process of uterine muscle contractility during pregnancy and birth can
have major clinical implications, including preterm labour, which is the single largest cause …

This article reviews the contribution of ion channels to membrane potential, the ion channels
expressed in myometrium, and the effect of ion channel activity on the control of myometrial …

Spontaneous preterm labour and delivery accounts for approximately one-third of preterm
births, which is the predominant cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. This review aims …

In contrast to the current state of knowledge of cardiac and of gastrointestinal
electrophysiology, our current knowledge of the physiology of the uterus during pregnancy is …

Oxytocin stimulates an increase in intracellular calcium in uterine myometrium by several
mechanisms. Several lines of evidence indicate that the oxytocin receptor is functionally …

Background Preterm birth (PTB) remains the foremost global cause of perinatal morbidity
and mortality. Thus, the prevention of spontaneous PTB still remains of critical importance. In …