A 22-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, at 39 weeks gestation comes to the labor and delivery unit with regular painful contractions. The patient's first pregnancy was uncomplicated and resulted in a full-term, spontaneous vaginal delivery 3 years ago, and her current pregnancy has been uncomplicated. She takes a prenatal vitamin daily and has no chronic medical conditions. In response to rising estrogen levels, the patient's myometrial cells increase the expression of genes that encode the oxytocin receptor and connexin 43. These molecular changes most likely result in increased formation of which of the following?

Question

A 22-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, at 39 weeks gestation comes to the labor and delivery unit with regular painful contractions.  The patient's first pregnancy was uncomplicated and resulted in a full-term, spontaneous vaginal delivery 3 years ago, and her current pregnancy has been uncomplicated.  She takes a prenatal vitamin daily and has no chronic medical conditions.  In response to rising estrogen levels, the patient's myometrial cells increase the expression of genes that encode the oxytocin receptor and connexin 43.  These molecular changes most likely result in increased formation of which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Gap junctions facilitate communication and coordination between cells and play an important role in labor contractions.  Gap junctions are composed of connexin proteins, which are upregulated in the uterus in response to rising estrogen levels.

A 22-Year-Old Woman, Gravida 2 Para 1, at 39 Weeks