title: A role for amniotic epithelium in control of human parturition.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mortimer
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Stimson
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Govan
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004848:Epithelium; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors