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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of a test dose of 0.5 microgram D-Met2-Pro5-enkephalinamide (ENK) resulted in analgesia. Acute tolerance developed if a tolerance-inducing high dose of 5 micrograms ENK was administered i.c.v. prior to the test dose. Tolerance appeared as a reduction of the analgesic effect of the test dose. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of oxytocin (OXT) inhibited the development of tolerance. It is suggested that OXT is able to modify the development of tolerance to enkephalins, which are ligands of delta-opiate rather than mu-opiate receptors.
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PMID:Effect of oxytocin on acute enkephalin tolerance in mice. 371 95

To study the role of the antiaggregatory and vasodilatory prostacyclin (PGI2) during human delivery, serial urine samples collected from 13 women delivered vaginally and from eight delivered abdominally were assayed for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha, a breakdown product of PGI2) by high-performance-liquid-chromatography and radioimmunoassay. In women delivered vaginally the mean urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration was 41.9 (SE 8.3) ng/mmol creatinine, before the onset of labour and increased progressively to a maximum of 186.5 (SE 47.6) ng/mmol creatinine 2 h after delivery irrespective of the use of oxytocin and epidural analgesia. In women delivered by caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia, the urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha rose from 33.4 (SE 4.2) ng/mmol creatinine to 2153 (SE 314) ng/mmol creatinine 2 h after section. In both groups the increased levels had fallen by 24 h postpartum to levels below those found before delivery. In neonatal urine 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentrations were some 12-30 times higher than those in postpartum urine. Thus, vaginal and abdominal delivery is accompanied by significant increases in maternal PGI2 release, perhaps in the myometrium and/or intrauterine tissues. This may be of significance in the regulation of fetoplacental blood flow and in the prevention of intra- and postpartum thrombosis.
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PMID:Vaginal and abdominal delivery increases maternal urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha excretion. 376 89

Oxytocin concentrations were determined in serial peripheral plasma samples collected from clinically normal women during pregnancy and labor. Measurable concentrations of this hormone were detected in all maternal plasma samples during pregnancy, but there were wide differences in values between patients. Serial samples from individual patients revealed a pattern of gradual rise of oxytocin levels with advancing gestation and the increase in concentration was statistically significant. There were no significant differences in oxytocin levels at any stage of labor, with or without epidural analgesia. Oxytocin levels at the onset of the second stage did not differ statistically from those at crowning. Comparison of cross-sectional data showed no significant difference between the mean oxytocin concentration in early labor and in late pregnancy. Oxytocin surges occurred, but not in a regular pattern. Plasma oxytocin concentration did not increase after pelvic examination, sweeping of the membranes, low amniotomy or after cervical vibration. After spontaneous vaginal delivery, umbilical arterial plasma levels of oxytocin were consistently higher than plasma concentrations from the umbilical vein. The fetal arterio-venous difference was less pronounced at elective cesarean section. At spontaneous vaginal delivery, with and without epidural anesthesia, plasma levels from the umbilical artery were significantly higher than the maternal levels. After vaginal delivery, oxytocin levels in cord plasma were significantly higher than at elective abdominal delivery. Some methodological aspects with regard to blood sampling and to plasma oxytocin radioimmunoassay procedures are discussed. From the results presented it is concluded that the human fetus can be an important source of oxytocin and that neurohumoral birth reflexes described in animals do not occur systematically in man.
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PMID:Plasma oxytocin in human pregnancy and parturition. 389 56

A prospective randomized controlled trial of 202 patients was set up to examine the efficiency and safety of 40 mg of intravaginal prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in a tylose gel to stimulate labour after artificial or spontaneous membrane rupture. The control group received a standard intravenous oxytocin regimen. The PGF2 alpha treated group had a significantly shorter length of labour (6.2 +/- 3.6 hours) compared to the oxytocin group (7.5 +/- 4.3 hours) (p less than 0.05). The analgesic requirements were significantly reduced in the PGF2 alpha treated patients. In PGF2 alpha treated patients 46 of 105 required no analgesia whereas 17 of 97 oxytocin treated patients required no analgesia (p less than 0.001). There were similar reductions for epidural (p less than 0.005) and pethidine requirements (p less than 0.005). No differences were found between groups with regards mode of delivery. There were no adverse maternal side-effects associated with PGF2 alpha usage. A significant reduction (p less than 0.05) in the incidence of neonatal jaundice requiring phototherapy occurred in the PGF2 alpha group. Prostaglandin F2 alpha appears to be a safe, efficient and better alternative to intravenous oxytocin to stimulate labour in the presence of ruptured membranes, allowing ambulation, a reduction in length of labour and less need for analgesia and intravenous therapy.
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PMID:A comparison of intravaginal PGF2 alpha and intravenous oxytocin to stimulate labour after membrane rupture. 391 85

Preparation for childbirth (Lamaze classes) is becoming an increasingly popular addition to patient education. This retrospective study investigates its effect on 64 primiparas in comparison with a control group who had not taken classes. The two groups were matched for age, antenatal risk scores, ethnic derivation, and socioeconomic status. No difference was found in the use of analgesia and anesthesia, the length of labor, type of delivery, incidence of fetal distress, infant birth weights, Apgar scores, or maternal and neonatal complications. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the use of oxytocin for augmentation of labor (P less than 0.01) in the prepared group.
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PMID:Childbirth preparation and outcomes of labor and delivery in primiparous women. 398 Oct 97

The effects of epidural analgesia, given during the first stage of labor, on the course of labor, mode of delivery, and fetal outcome were evaluated in 43 matched controlled patients. Both stages of labor were prolonged, more forceps were applied, and more patients needed oxytocin augmentation for a longer period in the epidural group. Cesarean section was associated also with the use of epidural analgesia, owing to failure to progress. Fetal outcome was similar in both groups as judged by Apgar scores. Patients who elect this mode of pain relief in labor should be made aware that these side effects can be expected.
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PMID:Segmental epidural analgesia in labor: a matched control study. 404 55

The analgesic response elicited by central administration of arginine vasopressin (AVP) appears to be dependent upon the integrity of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), since lesions placed in the PVN eliminate AVP analgesia. A projection to the zona externa of the median eminence constitutes one of the VP-containing efferents of the PVN. Neonatal treatment with monosodium glutamate (MSG) destroys perikarya of the arcuate nucleus and median eminence. The present study examined whether AVP analgesia was affected in the MSG-treated rat and whether these alterations were accompanied by specific changes in VP immunoreactivity in the zona externa of the median eminence. Female rats, neonatally treated with either MSG or a saline control, were tested as adults on the tail-flick test following intracerebroventricular injections of 0, 75, 150 and 500 ng doses of AVP. After testing, selected animals were prepared for AVP and oxytocin immunocytochemistry of the median eminence. Significant potentiations in the magnitude of AVP analgesia were observed in MSG-treated rats. AVP and oxytocin immunoreactivity in the zona interna and oxytocin immunoreactivity in the zona externa of the median eminence were similar in MSG-treated and control rats. In contrast, AVP immunoreactivity in the zona externa of the median eminence was markedly reduced in the MSG-treated rat. These data suggest that VP analgesia may normally be inhibited by those medial-basal hypothalamic neurons affected by neonatal MSG treatment.
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PMID:Potentiation of vasopressin analgesia in rats treated neonatally with monosodium glutamate. 407 21

Professor Brosens and colleagues (April 27, p.808) questions the safety of prostaglandins (PGs) for the induction of labor when pregnancy is complicated by hypertensive states, especially preeclampsia. Objections are based on the possibility that the uteroplacental bloodflow, which may already be compromised in these situations, could be further reduced by vasoconstrictive effects of the PGs on uterine, placental, and umbilical vessels. We have been using PGs extensively in this department and for the past year have been carrying out a double-blind trial of PGE2 and oxytocin by intravenous infusion after amniotomy for induction of labor in primigravidae. In 23 of the patients included thus far, labor was induced between 36 and 38 weeks because of moderate or severe preeclampsia. Of these, 12 have received oxytocin and 11 PGE2. In all cases, elective epidural analgesia has been employed and continuous fetal heartrate and intrauterine pressure recordings performed throughout. 1 patient in the group required an emergency cesarean section because of fetal distress; 2 others (1 from each group) were delivered by cesarean section because of failure to progress in labor. The remainder delivered vaginally with no evidence of increased incidence of fetal distress in the PG group. No perinatal deaths occurred. In an additional 18 primigravidae labor was induced at 36-38 weeks because of hypertensive complications of pregnancy by local PGE2 administration as previously described. These patients were assessed as clinically unfavorable for induction. 2 patients developed fetal distress and required cesarean sections; the others delivered vaginally. Experience with PGF2alpha is much less extensive but there is no reason to believe that this compound would behave differently, except with regard to maternal side effects. Thus it seems beneficial to use PGs for inducing labor in pregnancies complicated by hypertension and preeclampsia; no evidence of the suggested theoretical hazards has been seen. The suggested dangers may be questioned on 2 bases. It seems premature, based on existing knowledge, to infer that spiral arteries in hypertensive pregnancies are adversely affected by vasoconstrictor substances. Also, it is probable that high concentrations of PGs occur naturally in reproductive tissues and a rapid increase of PG in amniotic fluid occurs in spontaneous labors as well as those induced with oxytocin or PGs. Due caution must be exercised in using PGs where placental function may be impaired. The results-to-date which have been obtained with careful monitoring of the fetal heartrate and intrauterine pressure, show no evidence of adverse effects on the fetus as a result of PG use in preeclampsia and suggest they represent a valuable therapeutic agent in the management of this condition.
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PMID:Letter: Prostaglandins and pre-eclampsia. 413 36

This study evaluates the efficacy of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) as an oxytocic agent for the augmentation of delay in labor in 40 consecutive patients matched with another group of 40 patients (treated with intravenous oxytocin) as to age, parity, maturity, cervical dilation at time of augmentation, and analgesia. Delay in labor was diagnosed clinically when there was arrest in the descent of the presenting part and/or arrest of dilatation of the cervix. All patients were continuously monitored by means of a presenting part electrode and an intrauterine pressure catheter. Both oxytocin and PGE2 were administered via a constant infusion Palmer pump. Standard dosage increments were used until adequate contractions were achieved and no deleterious effect on the fetus was observed. 0.75 ml of 1 mg/ml ampoule of PGE2 in ethanol was diluted in 500 ml normal saline. Initial rate of infusion was 0.285 mcg/minute for a minimum of 30 minutes; the dose was subsequently doubled at intervals of 1 hour until adequate contractions were achieved. Initial rate for infusion for oxytocin was 2mu/minute; the dose was doubled every hour until adequate contractions were noted. Further cervical dilatation and descent of the presenting part occurred in all cases. Mean Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes respectively were 7.53 and 9.50 for the PG group, and 6.93 and 9.18 for the oxytocin group. No perinatal deaths occurred. Mean birthweight was 3.34 kg for the PG group and 3.39 kg for the oxytocin group. The oxytocin group exhibited significantly higher augmentation/delivery interval (7.32 hours vs. 5.2 for the PG group, p 0.001), mean basal uterine tone (13.23 vs. 7.38, p 0.001), mean frequency of contraction (4.39 vs. 3.61, p 0.01), and incidence of side effects (nausea, vomiting, and pyrexia). A fetal heart rate of less than 100 beats/minute was seen in 3 patients in the PG group and 7 in the oxytocin group.
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PMID:A comparison of intravenous prostaglandin E2 and intravenous oxytocin for the augmentation of labour complicated by delay. 445 29

This study combined the use of preinjection laminaria, intravenous oxytocin, and 15 mg of intra-amniotic prostaglandin (PG) F2alpha in order to demonstrate a potentially improved procedure for 2nd trimester abortion. 20 patients, aged 18-27, were between the 16-20 weeks gestation, and were free of intercurrent medical or obstetrical problems. 7 of the 20 were nulliparae. A laminaria was inserted into the cervix the evening before the injection of PG. In the morning an intravenous infusion was begun using 50 units of oxytocin in 500 ml of 5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium choloride at a rate of 150 ml/hour. The amniocentesis was performed and when a free flow of clear amniotic fluid was obtained 15 mg. of PGF2alpha was injected into the amniotic cavity. Different concentrations of oxytocin were administered if contractions were increasingly painful or not. Results of the experiment were that: 1) all patients aborted within 24 hours of the prostaglandin injection, 2) the median injection-to-abortion interval was 7 hours and 25 minutes; primigravidae aborted with a median time of 15 hours 20 minutes; and multiparous patients aborted in 6 hours 20 minutes; 3) only 9 patients requested analgesia medication; 4) the average blood loss was 150-200 nl; 1 patient had a postabortion hemorrhage greater than 500 ml; 5) 3 patients underwent sharp curettage for suspected retained secundines; 6) vomiting occurred in 6 patients, 3 of whom had emesis once; and 7) no diarrhea was encountered during the study. This study demonstrates that this procedure fulfills 3 strict criteria for success, as follows: 1) single injection technic, 2) consistent abortion within 24 hours, and 3) minimal side effects.
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PMID:Midtrimester abortion using prostaglandin F2alpha, oxytocin, and laminaria. 471 13


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