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The role of endogenous nitric oxide synthesis in contractility of term or preterm human myometrium
Objective:
To assess in vitro the role of endogenous myometrial nitric oxide synthesis on human myometrial contraction.
Design:
Strips of myometrium were mounted in a standard organ bath for assessment of isometric contraction and the response to modulators of nitric oxide synthesis determined.
Setting:
A teaching hospital research laboratory.
Sample:
Women undergoing elective nonlabour caesarean section under regional anaesthesia: 54 at term and seven preterm.
Results:
Neither addition of L-arginine, the substrate for nitric oxide synthase, nor of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase led to any specific change in spontaneous myometrial contraction.
Conclusion:
Endogenous nitric oxide production does not play an important role in the control of human term of preterm nonlabouring uterine smooth muscle contractility.