Dopamine influence on human uterine activity at term pregnancy

The influence of dopamine on uterine activity was studied by external tocography in women at the end of a normal pregnancy. In those who were not in labour dopamine infusion (2 micrograms min-1 kg-1 body weight) induced regular uterine contractions and with higher doses the response increased. For women in spontaneous labour, dopamine at a dose of 4 micrograms min-1 kg-1 caused a significant increase in the frequency of contraction, but in women receiving an oxytocin infusion, no further stimulation was seen. Dopamine did not have any noticeable effect on fetal heart rate, maternal pulse rate or blood pressure and no other general effects were observed.