[Molecular mechanisms of regulation uterine contractile activity during pregnancy and labor in mammals].

Main purpose of the investigation was to study basic mechanisms of regulation uterine contractile activity on various stages of gestation, labor and to determine nature of substances activating, inhibiting and modulating myometrium contractility. The study was carried out on 115 pregnant and not pregnant women, and women in labor, and on 45 newborns. The experiments analyzed hypothalamus and uterus of 100 white rats and brain of 45 newborn rats. Dynamics of neuropeptides and catecholamine contents was investigated in maternal and fetal blood and tissues on various levels of gestation, labor and delivery. The level of neiropeptide in the blood was determined by the method of high pressure liquid chromatography. In the myometrium functional indexes of adrenal receptors (affinity and sensitivity) and especially isometric contractions under influence of investigated substances were examined. Interaction of the neuropeptide with catecholamine was analyzed by means of radioligand binding. It was established that along with steroid hormones, monoamines and prostaglandins, neiropeptide systems play important part in contractile mechanisms during gestation, labor and adaptation of fetus to the out-of-uterine life, particularly influencing the functions of organs-effectors, as well as modulating biochemical processes in the cells. Based on the results of our investigation and existing literary data we have suggested protocols of neuroendocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulation of cell biochemical processes during gestation, labor and delivery.

[Effect of the calcitonine gene-related peptide on the myometrium contractile activity].

It is known that in the processes of contraction, as well as of relaxation of the myometrium, besides widely accepted regulatory mechanisms, such as steroid hormones, also participate catecholamine, oxytocine and prostaglandine, and other substances of peptide nature. In particular one of such compounds was studied in the present investigation. This compound is known as the peptide connected to the calcitonine gene (CGRP), whose role in the contractile activity of the myometrium is very significant. Our results certify that for the execution of the relaxing effect of the CGRP on the rat's myometrium, the nitric oxide is not an essential factor. The data obtained by us on the background of an action of the non-selective inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)--nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME)--practically does not differ from the data obtained in the absence of the latter, in different periods of gestation. This must evidence that inhibitory influence of the CGRP on the myometrium stripe, is either completely independent of the nitric oxide, or its role in performing this action is absolutely insignificant.

[Vaginosis in patients with antenatal foetus death].

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of bacterial vaginosis as well as of vaginal anaerobe flora (Mycoplasma Hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides spp. and Mobiluncus curtisii) was performed in women with antenatal foetus death. Specimens from forty women with this pathology were studied. Control group consisted of 100 pregnant women of the adequate age groups and gestation periods, but with live foetus. Vaginal smears treated by the use of polymerase chain reaction method showed that in the cases of antenatal foetus death in 70% of women Lactobacillus spp. was completely absent. This bacterium was observed only in 30% of these women. In 75% of women with live foetus Lactobacillus spp. was observed, while in 25% it was not present. Increase of quantity of anaerobic vaginal flora was observed in women, where the antenatal death of foetus was diagnosed. Percentage significance of these indices in women with live foetus was comparatively lower.

[Infectious causes of intrauterine fetal death].

We have done retrospective analysis of stillbirth. The aim of our study was to investigate specific role of infections in stillbirth on the basis of archival data of Acad. Chachava Research Institute of Perinatal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology. In 768 cases of stillbirth over a period 2000-2004, in 591 cases occurred intrauterine fetal death (IFD) (77%). In 85% of cases it was related to the preterm labor. Most frequently IFD occurred in relation to the congenital fetal malformations (24.4%). In 12.1% of cases the cause of the structural anomalies in fetuses was unknown. Infectious pathology occurred in 17.1% of cases and in 15.4%--preeclampsia. Significantly high percent are related to the unknown reasons that lead to the IFD (34.3%). Study addressing the risk factors of the intrauterine fetal death IFD revealed that odds ratio (OR) is the most high for fetal malformation--36.34; for preeclampsia--5.15; for infectious pathology--10.93; so it holds the third place after the fetal maldevelopment and preeclampsia.