Effects of porcine relaxin on the length of gestation and duration of parturition in the rat

Abstract
Experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of porcine relaxin on the course of gestation and delivery in the rat. Plasma relaxin was maintained at approximately 600 nmol/l from day 19 to day 23 of gestation by i.v. infusion from chronically implanted minipumps. Relaxin significantly (PPP< 0·025) shorter than controls. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that relaxin has a central action suppressing the release of oxytocin as well as a peripheral action on the myometrium and cervix. J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 85–88