Up-regulation of oxytocin receptor expression at term is related to maternal body mass index.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The likelihood of cesarean is in part related to maternal body mass index (BMI). Myometrial changes may be responsible.

METHODS:

Myometrial biopsies were collected from the upper edge of the hysterotomy from women undergoing scheduled cesarean with term, singleton gestations. Oxytocin receptor and connexin-43 mRNA protein expression was quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.

RESULTS:

Twenty subjects were recruited: 13 repeat and 7 primary cesareans. Oxytocin receptor mRNA was associated with BMI among women undergoing primary (r = 0.75; p = 0.05) but not repeat cesarean (p > 0.05). Controlling for gestational age, this association strengthened (p = 0.004). Receptor protein expression showed a linear correlation with BMI in the primary cesarean group (p = 0.002). Connexin-43 mRNA expression was not related to BMI in women undergoing primary (r = -0.14, p = 0.76) or repeat (r = -0.01, p = 0.86) cesarean.

CONCLUSIONS:

Oxytocin receptor, but not connexin-43, expression is related to BMI, suggesting an alteration in oxytocin receptor expression or function related to obesity.

• Authors: Matthew J Garabedian, Wendy F Hansen, Lauren A McCord, Mark A Manning, John M O'Brien, Thomas E Curry Jr
• Journal: American journal of perinatology (Am J Perinatol) Vol. 30 Issue 6 Pg. 491-7 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1098-8785 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23355275 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Chemical References

• Connexin 43
• RNA, Messenger
• Receptors, Oxytocin
• Inhibin-beta Subunits

Topics

• Adult
• Blotting, Western
• Body Mass Index
• Cesarean Section
• Connexin 43 (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Inhibin-beta Subunits (metabolism)
• Myometrium (metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• RNA, Messenger (metabolism)
• Receptors, Oxytocin (metabolism)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Up-Regulation (physiology)