Acta physiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Physiol. Scand. · Sep 1986
Differential effects of angiotensin, vasopressin and oxytocin on various smooth muscle tissues within the human uteroplacental unit.
Tissue specimens from various parts of the uteroplacental unit were obtained from women undergoing caesarean section, and placental tissue from women with normal deliveries. Strips of myometrial tissue, and segments of intramyometrial arteries were dissected together with segments of chorionic plate arteries and veins, and stem villous arteries. The preparations were mounted in organ baths, isometric tension recorded, and the responses to angiotensin II, vasopressin, and oxytocin were studied. ⋯ Lower concentrations of the peptide had almost no effects. The results suggest that various smooth muscle tissues of the human uterus and placenta are highly differentiated as regards responses to angiotensin II, vasopressin, and oxytocin. The physiological and possible clinical importance of the present findings deserve further investigation.