ABSTRACT
The aim of our present study was the investigation of rat myometrium by means of differential scanning calorimetry as a function of gestational age. Some additional groups of animals were exposed to adjuvant arthritis as a model for generalized inflammation. In order to find a connection between calorimetrically determined parameters and motor activity isolated organ experiments were performed and spontaneous as well as KCl-stimulated contractility were recorded. Uterine rings from the 5th day of early pregnancy (days 3-6) exhibited a maximum motor activity. A close correlation was revealed between calorimetric enthalpy (deltaH value) and basal and stimulated contractility. The generalized inflammation increased the maximal contractions at all tested stages (non pregnant, days 14 and 21). As gestation progressed deltaH value increased in control rats but not in animals exposed to inflammation. Our results indicate that calorimetric technique is suitable for functional investigation of pregnancy-induced or disease-related changes of myometrial samples.
