Increased Concentration of Water in Uterus of the Rat Following Treatment with Relaxin.

Abstract

The water content of the uterine tissue of the rat increased from a control value of approximately 80% - 84.5% following the injection of relaxin. Time studies on the water content of the uterine tissue of the immature rat revealed a maximum increase at 6 hours after injection of relaxin followed by a return to the control level within 24 hours. No secondary rise in water content and no change in dry weight of the uterus was noted. A dose-response curve for the action of relaxin on the uterine water was obtained at the dose-range of 1 to 10 G.P.U. Pretreatment with estrogen was not necessary for the action of relaxin on the water content of the uterus.