Elsevier

Life Sciences

Volume 23, Issue 10, 11 September 1978, Pages 1073-1081
Life Sciences

Demonstration of adrenergic catecholamine receptors in rat myometrium and their regulation by sex steroid hormones

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Abstract

The molecular basis of sex steroid hormone-modulation of catecholamine-regulated smooth muscle cell contraction in the uterus was investigated at the level of the catecholamine receptor in rat myometrium. Myometrial membrane binding sites for 3H)-dihydroergocryptine bound α-but not β-adrenergic antagonists and stereospecifically bound the α-agonists (−)-norepinephrine > (−)-epinephrine > phenylephrine. Binding sites for (−) (3H)-dihydroalprenolol were specific for β-adrenergic antagonists and stereospecifically bound (−)-isoproterenol > epinephrine ⋍ norepinephrine. These results were consistent with the expected properties of the myometrial α- and β-adrenergic catecholamine receptors. Myometrial content of β- but not α-adrenergic catecholamine receptors was significantly elevated during proestrus and estrus, suggesting a role for sex steroid hormones in the regulation of these receptors. This posibility was substantiated in ovariectomized rats where castration resulted in a reduction in myometrial β-receptor content which was restored in a dose-dependent manner by estrodiol administration. We conclude: 1) rat uterus contains a substantial concentration of α- and β-adrenergic catecholamine receptors, 2) sex steroid hormones may modulated uterine contractility by regulation of these cell surface receptors; 3) modulation of cell responses to surface active hormones and agents by regulation of their cell surface receptors may be a major way in which sex steroids regulate target organ function.

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