The onset of parturition in pregnant women with obesity is frequently delayed. Without induction, these women are nearly twice as likely as normal-weight women to have prolonged pregnancies even after control for birth weight. Adipokines are cell signaling mediators secreted by the adipose tissue, many of which are now known to be closely linked to metabolic regulation including smooth muscle function. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of adiponectin, and omentin on the in vitro functional contractility of isolated myometrial samples. Myometrial strips alongside the upper part of the low transverse uterine incisions were obtained at the time of the cesarean birth from 22 healthy, non-laboring, pregnant women, scheduled for elective cesarean birth at term. In isolated muscle tissue baths, myometrial strips were prepared under isometric conditions, undergoing spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions, were exposed to cumulative doses of adiponectin and omentin in the concentration range of 1 nmol/L to 10 umol/L. Control experiments were performed simultaneously. Both adiponectin and omentin exerted significant uterorelaxant effect ( reduction in amplitude and frequency of contractions) on the myometrial samples, in both spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions, in vitro. The inhibitory effect was in the region of 36 % for adiponectin, and 33 % for omentin in tissue baths with spontaneous contractions and in the region of 31% for adiponectin and 30% for omentin in tissue baths with oxytocin-induced contractions. In this study, we show the inhibitory role of adiponectin and omentin on human myometrial contractility, in vitro. These findings reiterate the physiological role of metabolic changes associated with maternal weight on myometrial contractility. The cellular mechanisms, and the potential clinical implications are not fully understood which could be addressed in future studies.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)