title: Oxytocin stimulates the release of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin F2 alpha from human decidual cells.
abstract: Oxytocin at a physiological concentration stimulated the immediate release of free arachidonic acid from dispersed human decidual cells in a perfusion system. This indicates that oxytocin activates phospholipase(s) thus enhancing prostaglandin synthesis. The effect of oxytocin on the release of [3H]-arachidonic acid from decidual cells of women in labor was significantly greater (1036 +/- 207, mean dpm +/- SEM, n = 23) than from those of women not-in-labor (505 +/- 121 dpm, n = 12) or with endometrial cells of non-pregnant women (711 +/- 210 dpm, n = 18), and correlates well with reported oxytocin receptor concentrations in these tissues. These new findings are consistent with a role for endogenous oxytocin in stimulating prostaglandin synthesis at the onset of parturition.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Womens Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Liggins
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Whittaker
mesh_terms: D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015237:Dinoprost; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000378:metabolism*; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000032:analysis; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D018045:Receptors, Oxytocin; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D010121:Oxytocin; D015237:Dinoprost