Objectives: Dystocic labour, also known as slow to progress in labour, represents an important clinical and research challenge (Wiberg-Itzel et al., 2018). The uncoordinated myometrial contractions associated with dystocia cannot dilate the cervix, and thus ultimately end with an unplanned caesarean delivery. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an extracellular signalling molecule regulating numerous physiological and pathophysiological conditions (Burnstock, 2017). The stressful situations associated with each contraction during labour can result in ATP release into the extracellular milieu. Animal model experiments have shown that extracellular ATP increases uterine contractions (Zafrah et al., 2017). Further studies have suggested that ATP stimulate P2X7receptos P2X7R (Miyoshi et al., 2012, Alotaibi, 2018). Therefore, we hypothesized that ATP binding to P2X7Rs could be used for labour augmentation. My study was designed to examine the effect of ATP and its analogues, ATPɣS (a non-hydrolyzing form of ATP) and BzATP (a more potent agonist at the P2X7R) on human myometrial contractility. To further determine P2X7R roles in mediating this action, selective antagonists, A-438079 and A-740003, were used. Methods: The responses of human term pregnant myometrium to ATP, ATPɣS, BzATP, the effects of A-438079 and A-740003 were investigated using tissue baths and measuring contractility. Results: Agonists caused concentration-dependent contractions with rank order of ATPɣS> BzATP>ATP. The contractions to ATP and BzATP were reduced in response to P2X7 antagonists but these effects were not significant. In conclusion; P2X7R appears to be only partially involved in mediating the contractile responses of the tissues to ATP. Further work: I have three aims. Firstly, to compare the effect of ATP on myometrial contractions in biopsies from labouring women, some of whom will have been labouring dysfunctionally. Comparing failure to progress vs. fetal distress will test whether reduced responses to extracellular ATP contribute to failure to progress, and our understanding of the underlying mechanism of action of ATP. Secondly, to identify the expression of P2X7 receptors in the myometrium, I will undertake western blot analysis. Thirdly, I will undertake immunohistochemistry to understand the localization of P2X7 receptors in human uterine tissues.