title: Plasma levels of prostaglandin metabolites in zinc-deficient female rats near term.
abstract: To investigate the possibility that impaired prostaglandin biosynthesis is involved in the development of postpartum illness in zinc-deficient female rats, plasma levels of three prostaglandin metabolites, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGE2, and 6-keto PGF1 alpha were determined on day 22 of gestation. During the gestation period female rats were fed low zinc (less than 1 ppm) diets based on soybean protein or similar control diets (100 ppm Zn). Two levels of vitamin E, 15 and 65 IU per kilogram, were added to the diet. Zinc deficiency in dams fed the diet containing 65 IU/kg vitamin E resulted in significantly higher plasma levels of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha than controls; plasma 6-keto PGF1 alpha levels were not different. Zinc-deficient dams fed the basal diet containing 15 IU/kg vitamin E had significantly higher plasma levels of all three prostaglandin metabolites than controls. The pathology of zinc deficiency is not due to decreased prostaglandin production, but the present results and the pathological signs are consistent with failure of prostaglandin function.
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000097:blood; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F; D014810:Vitamin E; C008228:15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2alpha; C025087:15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin E2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D015237:Dinoprost; D015032:Zinc; D015232:Dinoprostone