title: Maternal, umbilical, uterine and amniotic prostaglandin E and F2 alpha levels in labour.
abstract: This paper confirms the important role played by prostaglandins in the induction of uterine contractions and the initiation of human labour, although the exact mechanism of action in labour remains unclear. Seventeen pregnant women at term were studied. Of these nine were in labour and the remainder underwent elective section. Prostaglandin E and F2 alpha levels were measured in maternal, umbilical and uterine plasma and amniotic fluid by radioimmunoassay. Levels of prostaglandin E were generally higher than prostaglandin F2 alpha but they were significantly lower in maternal and uterine plasma. Levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha were significantly higher in maternal plasma during labour. The highest levels of prostaglandin were found in amniotic fluid. Measurements indicate that the decreasing ratio of prostaglandin E/F2 alpha is more important in the initiation of labour than absolute levels of either prostaglandin.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Turkey.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahmay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coke
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hekim
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atasu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D015237:Dinoprost