Studies on human premature births: II. In vivo effect of smoking and in vitro effect of nicotine on human uterine contractility

Abstract

1. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, in 17 gravidas near term in vivo effect of cigarette smoking has been reported objectively on the spontaneous activity of the human uterus. The effect of nicotine, per se, has also been evaluated on human pregnant and nonpregnant myometrial strips.2. In more than half of the gravidas near term a definite increment in uterine activity was noticed during cigarette smoking. However, nicotine in vitro experiments on human myometrial strips did not show any oxytocic effect.3. The significance and the mechanism of action of smoking on uterine contractility have been discussed.