A role for amniotic epithelium in control of human parturition.
A peroxidase anti-peroxidase staining technique was used to determine the presence of pregnancy-associated prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor (PAPSI) in human amniotic epithelium from 20 pregnant women at 36-40 weeks' gestation. PAPSI was present in amniotic epithelial cells in 12 of 15 women before the onset of labour. No PAPSI was found in amniotic epithelium from 5 women in clinically established labour. These findings indicate that the amnion is a source of this endogenous prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor and suggest a local role for amniotic epithelium in initiating labour at term.
Mortimer
G
G
Stimson
W H
WH
Hunter
I C
IC
Govan
A D
AD
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004848:Epithelium; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors