The study of progesterone action in human myometrial explants.

ABSTRACT:

Study hypothesis

Myometrial explants represent a superior model compared with cell culture models for the study of human myometrial progesterone (P4) signalling in parturition.

Study finding

Gene expression analysis showed myometrial explants closely resemble the in vivo condition and the anti-inflammatory action of P4 is not lost with labour onset.

What is known already

Circulating P4 levels decline before the onset of parturition in most animals, but not in humans. This has led to the suggestion that there is a functional withdrawal of P4 action at the myometrial level prior to labour onset. However, to date, no evidence of a loss of P4 function has been provided, with studies hampered by a lack of a physiologically relevant model.

Study design, samples/materials

SUBMITTER: Georgiou EX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4986420 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature