title: Concentrations of the prostacyclin metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, in amniotic fluid during late pregnancy and labour.
abstract: Concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin, PGI2) have been measured in amniotic fluid obtained during late pregnancy and labour. Samples taken at amniotomy during spontaneous labour contained a significantly greater concentration of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha than samples taken at amniotomy before the onset of labour (p less than 0.01). There was no correlation between the level of 6 keto-PGF1 alpha in amniotic fluid before labour and gestational age (p greater than 0.1). It is suggested that prostacyclin may have a functional role in the mechanism of parturition in man.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007651:Keto Acids / Q000032:analysis; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007651:Keto Acids; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011464:Epoprostenol