American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
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Our purpose was to study the relationship between serum relaxin levels and back pain during pregnancy. ⋯ Relaxin is known to remodel pelvic connective tissue in several mammalian species during pregnancy. The current data suggest that relaxin might be involved in the development of pelvic pain in pregnant women.
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Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. · Nov 1996
The role of oxytocin receptors and vasopressin V1a receptors in uterine contractions in rats: implications for tocolytic therapy with oxytocin antagonists.
The objective of the study was to determine in the rat model whether the uterotonic action of vasopressin is mediated by the vasopressin V1a receptor in the uterus, by the oxytocin receptor, or by both. The purpose is to assess whether the anti-V1a activity of oxytocin antagonists is a desirable pharmacologic property in tocolytic therapy for preterm labor. ⋯ The parallel dose-response curves for oxytocin and arginine vasopressin suggest that the uterotonic action of vasopressin is also mediated by the oxytocin receptor. Arginine vasopressin binds to both oxytocin and V1a receptors in the uterus, but the activation of V1a receptors appears not to be a mechanism involved in the uterine-stimulating action of vasopressin. The anti-V1a activity of oxytocin antagonists does not contribute to tocolytic efficacy and may represent an undesirable side effect. By blocking the vascular V1a receptors, it may compromise the patient's ability to maintain arterial blood pressure during hemorrhage.