Relationships between contraction and membrane electrical activity in the isolated uterus of the pregnant rat

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Abstract
Isolated uterine segments from 21-day pregnant rats of the Long-Evans strain were studied by the microelectrode technique in conjunction with force of contraction measurements. Dual recording from large segments showed gross discoordination in onset, frequency and duration of action potential trains. Dual recording from small (2 mm in width) segments resulted in coordination of onset, frequency and duration of spike discharge, but subtle phase shifts between recordings from closely adjacent electrodes still were evident. In the small segments, each action potential accounted for a separate deflection on the contraction curve, indicating the tetanic nature of the uterine contraction. A ‘precontraction’ was regularly observed in the small segments, preceding both fast contraction and the appearance of the spike discharge. Possible mechanisms to explain the nature of impulse conduction are discussed.

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