Mammalian tachykinins and uterine smooth muscle: the challenge escalates

We review the actions of mammalian tachykinins on uterine smooth muscle. Derived from sensory neurones and non-neuronal cells within the female reproductive tract, tachykinins are potent uterotonic agents. Three tachykinin receptor genes, and the gene encoding neprilysin, the enzyme that inactivates tachykinins, are present in rat, mouse and human myometrium. In rat and human, the tachykinin NK(2) receptor is important in mediating the uterotonic effects of tachykinins; actions at this receptor remain relatively stable or vary only slightly in the face of changing hormonal and gestational status. In contrast, ovarian steroids and pregnancy regulate expression of the tachykinin NK(3), and to a lesser extent, the tachykinin NK(1) receptor, as well as the activity of neprilysin. In the oestrogen primed mouse uterus, the tachykinin NK(1) receptor primarily mediates tachykinin uterotonic effects, but there is a switch to the tachykinin NK(2) receptor by late pregnancy. The possible physiological and pathological roles of tachykinins, including hemokinins and endokinins, in normal and premature labour, stress-induced abortion and menstrual disorders are briefly discussed.