Abstract: To clarify the prostanoid receptors in bovine oviductal smooth muscle, the effects of prostaglandins (prostaglandin E2, PGE2; prostaglandin F2α, PGF2α; prostaglandin D2, PGD2) and receptor selective agonists (butaprost, U-46619) were examined on the bovine oviductal smooth muscle using physiological signals collection system in vitro. The results showed that PGE2 and butaprost concentration dependently inhibited tonic and spontaneous contraction of both the ampulla and the isthmus smooth muscle strips; PGF2α induced significantly contractile response in ampulla and isthmus smooth muscle isolated from bovine oviduct at high concentrations (1 to 10 μmol/L); PGD2 inhibited the ampulla smooth muscle contraction at low concentrations, while at high concentrations (1 to 10 μmol/L) the ampulla and isthmus smooth muscle had been significantly contractile response; U-46619 induced potent contractile response in both the ampulla and the isthmus smooth muscle. These results suggested that EP4 or EP2, FP,DP, TP receptors were in the bovine oviductal smooth muscle, and the endogenous prostaglandins coupled these receptors contribute in regulation of oviductal smooth muscle contractility.

Key words: prostaglandins; receptor agonists; receptor; oviductal smooth muscle; contraction