THE EFFECT OF ADRENALINE, NORADRENALINE AND ISOPRENALINE ON THE GUINEA‐PIG UTERUS

Abstract

The actions of adrenaline, noradrenaline and isoprenaline were compared on the isolated guinea‐pig uterus. In uteri from immature animals (200 to 350 g) adrenaline caused relaxation which changed to a biphasic effect and finally to a contraction in the course of an experiment (6 to 8 hr). Noradrenaline always caused contraction and isoprenaline relaxation. In uteri from oestrogen‐treated animals adrenaline and noradrenaline caused contraction and isoprenaline caused relaxation. Isoprenaline potentiated the contraction produced by adrenaline and reversed the adrenaline relaxation to a contraction. The change of the pharmacological action of adrenaline was not related to the Na+ and K+ content of the uterus, which remained constant throughout an experiment involving repeated application of the amines. Nor could it be related to a change in the glycogenolytic effect of adrenaline estimated by determinations of total glycogen of the muscle which, however, may not reflect a momentary change in rate of breakdown. 1961 British Pharmacological Society