Potentiation of uterine effects of prostaglandin F2{alpha} by adenosine 5'-triphosphate.

Objective: To investigate the interaction of exogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), a P2 receptor agonist, with prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) on pregnant women in labor as well as on isolated human pregnant uterus preparations.

Methods: For an in vitro study, myometrial samples were obtained from 27 women undergoing elective cesarean delivery at term. Concentration-response relationships for ATP (10(-8) -3 x 10(-4) mol/L), PGF(2alpha) (10(-9) -10(-5) mol/L), and their combination were obtained by using routine pharmacological organ bath technique.

Effects of chronic specific urogenital infections on contractility of the human isolated pregnant myometrium.

The contractile activity of the isolated myometrium of pregnant women with mycoplasma, chlamydia and mixed infections has been studied by pharmacological organ bath method. We found that mycoplasma infection decreased while chlamydia or mixed infection increased myometrium contraction evoked by oxytocin or prostaglandin F2alpha. The results of this study could be important for the prediction of possible complications during pregnancy and labour in women with chronic specific urogenital infections.