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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 14, 248-252, Copyright © 1976 by Society for the Study of Reproduction
1 Department of Pharmacology,
University of Alberta,
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7 Canada The effect of the adrenergic innervation on the sensitivity of the ampullary portion of rabbit
oviduct to (-)-norepinephrine has been examined. Tissues were removed from estrogen-dominated
rabbits and isometric contractions of the longitudinal and circular muscle layers were recorded
separately. Longitudinal muscle was significantly more sensitive to added (-)-norepinephrine than
circular muscle. This difference in sensitivity was reduced by cocaine, desipramine and by
6-hydroxydopamine pretreatment. Blockade of extraneuronal uptake, of catechol-O-methyl
transferase and of prostaglandin synthesis had no significant effect on the responses of either
longitudinal or circular muscle to (-)-norepinephrine. It is suggested that the difference in
sensitivity between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the ampulla to (-)-norepinephrine
is due to a greater concentration of adrenergic nerves present in the circular muscle layer.
Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study was supported by research grants from
the World Health Organization and the Medical Research Council of Canada (MT 2472). We should like
to thank Mrs. A. Barkai and Mrs. P. Lauzon for their
careful technical assistance. Desipramine and U0521
were generously donated by Geigy Canada Ltd. and
Upjohn Co. Canada, respectively.
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