title: Prostaglandin E2 in induction of labour: a pharmacokinetic study of dose and treatment protocols.
abstract: The absorption of administered prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) into the term uterus was analysed, by measurement of intrauterine PGE2 and PGF 2 alpha, in 137 women. Amniotic fluid was sampled after elective Caesarean section, or at rupture of the membranes, and fetal membranes were collected after delivery of the placenta. Within 2 h of administration of a PGE2 pessary (500 micrograms), a significant elevation in amniotic fluid PGE2 was detected. Exogenous PGE2 stimulated the production of intrauterine PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, causing an elevated PGE2 concentration in amniotic fluid, and increased PGF2 alpha in fetal membranes. These studies indicate that the administration of as little as 500 micrograms of PGE2 pessary, resulted in elevated intrauterine PGE2. Exogenous PGE2 (2.5 mg) administration resulted in increased concentrations of PGF2 alpha in the fetal membranes. Considerable local release of PGs was observed at the site of membrane rupture, and this influenced the method of amniotic fluid sampling used in this study.
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Centre, Edinburgh.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Leaver
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: MacPherson
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hutchon
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D015237:Dinoprost; D015232:Dinoprostone; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D015237:Dinoprost; D015232:Dinoprostone