Author(s)

R. Miftahof & N. Akhmadeev

Abstract

A mathematical model of the pregnant myometrial fasciculus is proposed. It is based on real anatomical and physiological data of its structure and function. The model reproduces electromechanical wave phenomena in the myometrium under normal physiological conditions and after application of different classes of pharmacologically active compounds. Keywords: human myometrium, fasciculus, electromechanical waves. 1 Introduction In recent years the biomedical research on reproduction has been focused mainly on molecular, neuroendocrine and pharmacological aspects of uterine activity. A relatively small amount of work has been dedicated to modeling of the uterus per se. Various approaches have been developed for uterine mechanics modeling during parturition. The majority of them rely on assumptions of geometrical and physical linearity [1, 2]. Results of numerical simulations obtained for different values of parameters and constants resembled patterns of spontaneous contractility observed during normal labor and reproduced voltageclamp traces recorded experimentally on pregnant rats and human non-pregnant myometrial cells. Although the existing models of the myometrium and the gravid human uterus are based on the accurate application of general principles of solid mechanics and incorporate some morphological data on the structure and function of the organ, these models remain of limited biomedical value. New integrative, biologically plausible models are needed to answer urgent questions related to clinical problems of labor and delivery.

Keywords

human myometrium, fasciculus, electromechanical waves