Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01178 (oxytocin)
 15,767 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Following a short history of hormonal contraception, the chemistry of compounds with progesterone-like action is explained and their steroid structures are drawn. The pharmacology of progesterone includes the following: 1) insures nidation of the ovum and maintenance of normal uterine tonicity during pregnancy; 2) alters the sensitivity of myometrium to oxytocin and relaxin near the term of pregnancy; 3) prevents ovulation in normal circumstances and in pregnancy; 4) interacts with troph-hormones of the pituitary and contributes to the normal course of cycle and its cessation during pregnancy; 5) exerts a protective effect on existing gravidity; 6) makes endometrium proliferate; 7) acts as a thermogen; and 8) together with estrogens, regulates the vaginal and cervical mucus production. Gestagens display similar effects, but relative potency of individual compounds varies widely. Nortestosterone derivatives have a marked antigonadotrophic action, whereas progesterone derivatives are devoid of it. Another difference between the 2 groups of compounds is their hormonal side effects. For example, nortestosterone derivatives being anabolisants are responsible for weight gain and possible viralization, effects not found experimentally with progesterone derivatives. Clinically, gestagens are called ovulation inhibitors. They affect sexual centers of diencephalon negatively. Endometrial and vaginal epithelium undergo specific transformations when under the influence of gestagens. Similarly, the cervical mucus usually decreases in quantity and increases in viscosity, hindering the migration of sperm. The claudogenic effect (postovulatory inhibition) is discussed. The most improtant extragenital alterations which occur in conjunction with gestagen therapy are blood coagulation changes. Withdrawal of gestagens results in a rebound effect, allowing for greater than normal fertility after cessation of therapy.
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PMID:Chemistry, pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of oral contraceptives. 1233 83