Oxytocin and cervical connective tissue.

The effect of oxytocin on collagen synthesis in the pregnant human cervix and lower uterine segment was studied in incubation experiments by measuring the incorporation of 3H-proline. Oxytocin had a concentration related inhibitory effect on the labelling with 3H-proline. Vasopressin in the corresponding concentrations had only a weak effect on the incorporation of 3H-proline. Addition of indomethacin did not influence the response to oxytocin indicating that the effect was probably not mediated by prostaglandins. These results suggest that oxytocin under in vitro experimental conditions influences cervical connective tissue metabolism which is in contrast to current clinical experience.