title: Prostaglandin synthesis in human placenta and fetal membranes: partial inhibition by rat and human alpha-fetoproteins.
abstract: The conversion of exogenous arachidonic acid into prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was studied in human placenta and fetal membranes microsomes Rat and human alpha-fetoproteins (AFPs) at 170 micrograms/ml in the incubation medium, a concentration that does not exceed the physiological concentration observed in rat and human body fluids during pregnancy, decreased by 75% and 90% respectively the amount of PGE2 synthesized. The regulation of PGs synthesis by AFPs can shed a new light on different aspects of the numerous physiological actions of AFPs previously described such as ovarian regulation of immunosuppressive activity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008566:Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011448:Prostaglandin Antagonists; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D015232:Dinoprostone