Alterations in uterine sodium pump abundance may contribute to the onset and progression of term and preterm labor in mice

Sodium pump α3-isoform protein levels decreased in uterus before term labor and lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm labor. These findings are similar to those in humans, which suggests that this mouse model may be useful in the study of the sodium pump in human pregnancy. Reductions in sodium pump number can increase uterine contractile force and may contribute to labor.