# ENDOCRINE AND VASCULAR RELATIONSHIPS IN PARTURITION

> **NIH NIH R37** · OREGON REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER · 1994 · $324,207

## Abstract

The objectives of this research plan are to clarify the
relationships among endocrine, paracrine, and cellular events
during pregnancy which culminate in parturition.  It is our
expectation that data obtained in pregnant rhesus monkeys and
baboons will provide insights into the mechanisms of normal and
preterm human labor.

Physiological studies in unanesthetized chronically catheterized
maternal-fetal preparations in a mobile tether assembly and
complementary in vitro studies of intrauterine tissues will be
conducted to answer the following questions: (1) How do pituitary
and adrenal factors, oxytocin, catecholamines, and environmental
cues (e.g., light:dark cycles) regulate circadian patterns in uterine
activity?  (2) Is progesteron (P4) receptor blockade by RU486 in
late gestation associated with the same paracrine (amniotic fluid
eicosanoids), structural (gap junctions), and functional (uterine
activity) changes seen in spontaneous parturition?  (3) Are
changes in steroid receptors, their tissue localization or their
interaction with DNA related to the onset of labor?  (4) Is
eicosanoid production by intrauterine tissues altered near term,
and if so, by what mechanism (e.g., increased synthesis, decreased
inhibition, or redirection of arachidonate metabolism)?

Estrone, estradiol, pregnenolone and the sulfate, P4DHEAS,
DHEA, androstenedione, cortisol, ACTH, prolactin, oxytocin,
prostaglandins (PGE, PGF, PGFM, PGEM-II, 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha),
and lipoxygenase metabolites (5, 12, and 15-HETE; leukotriene B4
and C4) will be measured by specific RIA; catecholamines by
radioenzymatic assay; steroid receptors by immunocytochemistry,
exchange assay and immunoassay; gap junction morphometry by
EM; PG production rates in a tissue superfusion system; PG
inhibitory and stimulatory substances by bovine seminal vesicles
and amnion cell cultures.  Results of hormone and tissue assays
will be correlated with continuous measurements of fetal heart
rate and uterine activity (by amniotic fluid pressure and
electromyography). Computer methods will be used for on-line
data acquisition and statistical analyses of wave forms,
biorhythms and hormonal trends.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2194945
- **Project number:** 5R37HD006159-22
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON REGIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** MILES J. NOVY
- **Activity code:** R37 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $324,207
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-01-01 → 1998-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2194945

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2194945, ENDOCRINE AND VASCULAR RELATIONSHIPS IN PARTURITION (5R37HD006159-22). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2194945. Licensed CC0.

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