Effects of Prostaglandins PGE 2 and PGF 2 a on the Adenyl Cyclase Activity of Various Segments of the Immature Rabbit Oviduct and Uterus

Abstract

Summary

Immature rabbit oviducts and uteri incubated in the presence of PGE₂ showed increases in the percent conversion of ³H-nucleotides to ³H-cAMP. The different segments of the oviduct had similar adenyl cyclase activities in the absence of prostaglandin. In the presence of PGE₂, however the degrees of response varied. The adenyl cyclase activities of oviductal ampulla, oviductal isthmus, uterotubal junction and uterus were 2, 3, 4, and 2 times those of their controls, respectively. Addition of theophylline to the incubation mixture enhanced the level of cAMP formation and the response to PGE₂·PGF_2α , at a concentration (10 μg/ml) that produced a maximal response for PGE₂, did not significantly alter the adenyl cyclase activity in any area of the oviduct or uterus.

Isoproterenol increased and oxytocin decreased adenyl cyclase activity in the immature rabbit uterus.