Hormonal Alteration of the Response of the Rat Uterus Tocatecholamines

HORMONAL ALTERATION OF THE RESPONSE OF THE RAT UTERUS TOCATECHOLAMINES Jack Diamond* and Theodore M. Brody** Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School Ann Arbor, Michigan, U. S. A. (Received 22 August 1966 ; in final form 23 September 1966) Ahlquist~) has postulated that all uteri possess both ß-inhibitory and a-stimulatory adrenergic receptors . Evidence supporting this hypothesis has been obtained in several species. (2-7) In addition, changes in the hormonal state of the uterus have been shown to alter the response of the uterus to catecholamines in the cat(2) and guinea pig (3' 8) and to alter the uterine responce to nerve stimulation in the rabbit. (5) However, no reports have yet appeared concerning the influence of ovarian hormones on the uterine response m catecholamines in the rat. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in order to investigate the effects of eatradiol and progesterone on the response of the rat uterus to norepinephrine and epinephrine.