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Inhibition of Oxytocin Receptor and Estrogen Receptor- Expression, But Not Relaxin Receptors (LGR7), in the Myometrium of Late Pregnant Relaxin Gene Knockout Mice

Department of Zoology and Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: A. L. Siebel, Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. E-mail: a.siebel{at}hfi.unimelb.edu.au.

Abstract

This study used relaxin (RLX) gene knockout mice (Rlx^-/-) to investigate the effects of RLX on myometrial oxytocin receptor (OTR) and estrogen receptor (ER)- gene expression in late gestation. We also characterized the temporal expression of the RLX receptor (LGR7) and demonstrated gene transcripts in the myometrium of Rlx^+/+ and Rlx^-/- mice. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in myometrial LGR7 gene expression on d 17.5 and 18.5 post coitum (pc) compared with earlier stages of gestation, but no differences between Rlx^+/+ and Rlx^-/- mice. Myometrial OTR mRNA levels increased at the end of gestation in Rlx^+/+ but not Rlx^-/- mice. ER gene expression was up-regulated on d 14.5 pc in Rlx^+/+ mice, with mRNA levels remaining high throughout late gestation. In contrast, ER mRNA levels were significantly lower in Rlx^-/- mice on d 14.5 and 18.5 pc. These data show that the increases in myometrial OTR and ER expression in late pregnant Rlx^+/+ mice were attenuated in Rlx^-/- mice. The effects of RLX on OTRs are probably mediated via activation of ER. Finally, RLX receptor expression in the myometrium of Rlx^-/- mice did not differ from wild-type mice, implying that RLX does not influence expression of its receptor.

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