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. 2014 Jun 1;15(2):86-91.
doi: 10.5152/jtgga.2014.26932. eCollection 2014.

Dual effects of melatonin on uterine myoelectrical activity of non-pregnant rats

Yavuz Simşek  1 , Hakan Parlakpınar  2 , Uğur Turhan  3 , Mehmet Emin Tağluk  4 , Burhan Ateş  5
Affiliations

Dual effects of melatonin on uterine myoelectrical activity of non-pregnant rats

Yavuz Simşek et al. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. .

Abstract

Objective: In this experimental study, we aimed to investigate the role of melatonin on uterine myoelectrical activity of non-pregnant rats.

Material and methods: Forty-six female rats were assigned to six groups: (1) control; (0.2 mL 0.9% NaCl was injected intravenously (IV), n=6); (2) melatonin applied as 0.4 mg/kg/IV (n=8); (3) melatonin applied as 4 mg/kg/IV (n=8); (4) single dose of oxytocin (100 mU/kg) injected IV (n=8); (5) melatonin (0.4 mg/kg) plus oxytocin (100 mU/kg) (n=8); and (6) melatonin (4 mg/kg) plus oxytocin (100 mU/kg) injected IV (n=8). Each rat underwent a laparotomy, and uterine myoelectrical signals were recorded. The mean spectrum, averaged over the spectral content of signals in each group, was compared.

Results: Melatonin induced uterine myoelectrical activity in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of melatonin after oxytocin suppressed the mean power of the signals. Serum melatonin concentrations were significantly higher in melatonin-treated rats.

Conclusion: Melatonin itself at two different dose levels was found to be equally effective in stimulating the uterine electrical signals, although oxytocin-induced uterine electrical activity was suppressed by melatonin. These findings merit further investigations on the possible beneficial role of melatonin in the treatment of conditions associated with abnormal uterine activity.

Keywords: Uterine contraction; electrical stimulation; melatonin; oxytocin.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Typical uterine electrical signals recorded from non-pregnant rats
Figure 2
Figure 2
Group-based spectra of uterine electrical activity obtained from non-pregnant rats
Figure 3
Figure 3
a, b. A synthetic signal simulating the uterine signal treated with oxytocin (a) and its spectrum (b)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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