Inositol phosphate formation in uterine tissue from two species of reptiles is stimulated by arginine vasotocin and influenced by stage of reproduction.

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis, resulting in inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DG) formation, has been implicated in oxytocin-stimulated pulsatile secretion of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) from uterine endometrium of sheep and other mammals. In reptiles, arginine vasotocin (AVT) stimulates uterine secretion of PGF2 alpha. These studies investigated the ability of AVT to stimulate incorporation of [3H]inositol into inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphates in two reptilian species. In Experiment 1, AVT stimulated (P less than 0.01) IP formation in uterine from late-gravid (150 to 291%) and postpartum (104 to 363%) Yarrow's spiny lizards (Sceloporus jarrovi). Inositol phosphate formation, in response to AVT, was greater (P less than 0.01 for IP3 and P less than 0.05 for total IP) for gravid (stage 40 embryos) and postpartum (1-2 days) lizards near the time of parturition than for lizards at other stages (stage 38-39 embryos or 7 days postpartum). Inositol phosphate formation was greater (P less than 0.05) in uterine tissue from gravid than from postpartum lizards. In Experiment 2, basal IP formation and the response to AVT were the greatest (P less than 0.01) in endometrium from late-gravid American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). AVT stimulated (P less than 0.02) IP synthesis in uterine endometrium from vitellogenic (136 to 394%), early-gravid (7 to 270%), late-gravid (315 to 1002%), postpartum (86 to 313%), and nonreproductive (292 to 322%) alligators. Results indicate that (1) AVT stimulates IP formation in the uterus of reptiles; (2) uterine IP formation increases in late-gravid reptiles; and (3) increased responsiveness to AVT may occur at parturition or oviposition.