Which hormone inhibits uterine contractions

It's also the hormone detected by pregnancy tests. Progesterone helps establish the placenta. It stimulates growth of blood vessels that supply the womb, and it inhibits contraction of the uterus so it grows as the baby does. Progesterone also strengthens pelvic wall muscles for labor. Estrogen helps the uterus grow, maintains the uterine lining, and helps fetal organs develop.

It activates and regulates production of other hormones. With progesterone, estrogen stimulates breast growth and milk duct development.

Prolactin is the main hormone needed to produce breast milk. Relaxin levels in the circulation rise after ovulation , during the second half of the menstrual cycle. At this stage it is thought to relax the wall of the uterus by inhibiting contractions, and it also prepares the lining of the uterus for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, relaxin levels drop again. During pregnancy, relaxin levels are at their highest in the first trimester.

At this time it is believed to promote implantation of the developing fetus into the wall of the uterus and the growth of the placenta.

Early in pregnancy, relaxin also inhibits contractions in the wall of the uterus, to prevent premature childbirth. Towards the end of pregnancy relaxin promotes rupture of the membranes surrounding the fetus and the growth, opening and softening of the cervix and vagina to aid the process of childbirth.

There is also some evidence that relaxin can relax the ligaments at the front of the pelvis to ease delivery of the baby. There are several other factors involved in labour , but the exact trigger remains unclear.

The role of relaxin in men is less clear. However, there is evidence that it may increase the movement of sperm cells in the semen. Relaxin belongs to the same family of hormones as insulin. Over the last decade, several relaxin-like peptides have been discovered, although the function of these peptides remains unclear. Recent studies have revealed effects of relaxin on other systems in the body. Relaxin decreases tissue fibrosis in the kidney , heart, lungs and liver, and promotes wound healing.

Mueller 1. E-mail: andreas. Oxford Academic. Revision received:. Cite Cite A. Select Format Select format. Permissions Icon Permissions. Figure 1. Open in new tab Download slide. Figure 2. Schematic view of the perfusion system.

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