Serum Immunoreactive Relaxin and Softening of the Uterine Cervix in Pregnant Hamsters

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Serum immunoreactive relaxin levels and ripening of the cervix were measured throughout pregnancy in hamsters. RIA [radioimmunoassay] relaxin rose from an undetectable level on day 7 to a maximum value of 29 ng/ml on day 15 of gestation and then fell prior to parturition. The cervix became progessively more dilatable from the 12th to the 16th day of pregnancy. The endogenous relaxin measured by RIA may induce the cervical softening. The absolute levels of immunoreactive relaxin appear to be 10- to 15-fold higher than those previously observed in rats, mice and guinea pigs.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: