Endocrine regulation of the initiation and maintenance of parturition

Exciting studies are being conducted to define the molecular events that are involved in myometrial contractions. Hayashi and Garfield are investigating, in detail, the development of gap junction in myometrium of pregnant women. Krall and Korenman are conducting in-depth studies to define the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP levels in myometrial tissue. Indeed, progress is being made even in the prevention of preterm labor; Creasy has developed a scheme for the evaluation of factors likely to lead to preterm labor in women and has developed a method for management of women at high risk for preterm labor that has been highly successful. Thus, it is an exciting time to be a part of the research to elucidate the molecular events that are involved in parturition.