Modern concepts about the mechanisms of initiation and regulation of labor activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The mechanisms of initiation and regulation of labor activity remain insufficiently studied. Currently, there are a significant number of theories that explain the mechanism of onset and regulation of labor, many of which are only of historical interest. Meanwhile, awareness of the true causes and mechanisms of regulation of labor activity will allow preventing not only premature or postmature birth, but also abnormal labor. AIM: The aim of this study was to discover modern concepts about the mechanisms of initiation and regulation of labor activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a detailed systematic analysis of modern domestic and foreign literature on the mechanisms of initiation and regulation of labor activity. The study used data hosted by such databases as e-LIBRARY, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library (from January 2015 to December 2021). CONCLUSIONS: According to the literature, the most significant role in the initiation and regulation of labor activity is played by epigenetic mechanisms that reflect the transmission of genetically encoded information in response to a great number of exogenous and endogenous signals varying from patient to patient.