Abstract
OXYTOCIN, a potent stimulant of myometrial activity, is used extensively in clinical practice for the induction of labour. The fact that in animals circulating concentrations of this peptide are increased during labour and maximal at the time of delivery1,2 suggests that oxytocin released by the maternal posterior pituitary may play an important part in spontaneous labour. The role of endogenous oxytocin, however, has been disputed. Bioassays suggest that the circulating concentrations are increased to 100 µU/ml. or more3,4, while indirect evidence suggests that there is no more than 10 µU/ml., and perhaps much less5.
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CHARD, T., HUDSON, C., EDWARDS, C. et al. Release of Oxytocin and Vasopressin by the Human Foetus during Labour. Nature 234, 352–354 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/234352a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/234352a0
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