Effect of estradiol-17 beta and prostaglandins on rat myometrial gap junctions

The effects of estradiol-17 beta and indomethacin on myometrial gap junction development, plasma estradiol levels and uterine PGF2 alpha content were evaluated in immature and/or ovariectomized, mature rats. High doses of estradiol stimulated the development of gap junctions in the myometrium of animals from both groups. Concomitant injections of estradiol and indomethacin to ovariectomized rats potentiated the estradiol stimulation of gap junctions. Plasma estradiol levels were lower in ovariectomized rats treated with both estradiol and indomethacin than in animals treated with estradiol alone. Indomethacin also enhanced the uptake and retention of 3H-estradiol into uterine tissues. Uterine PGF2 alpha content of ovarectomized rats was stimulated with the initial injection of estradiol but thereafter, the PGF2 alpha content declined with repeated injections to values lower than that observed in controls. Prostaglandin F2 alpha content in tissues from rats treated with estradiol plus indomethacin were also higher than that observed in rats treated with indomethacin alone, however, the values obtained in both groups were significantly lower compared to those from control animals. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that steroid hormones and prostaglandins regulate myometrial gap junction formation. Regulation of myometrial gap junctions by prostaglandins is discussed with respect to a down regulation of the steroid-receptor mechanism and effects on cyclo-oxygenase or lipoxygenase products.