Prostaglandins in the human fetal circulation in mid-trimester and term pregnancy.
Concentrations of prostaglandins in fetal and maternal plasma during mid-pregnancy and fetal plasma at term have been measured. Fetal levels at both gestations were higher than found in maternal blood. The stable chemical breakdown product of prostacyclin, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, was consistently considerably higher in the fetus during mid-pregnancy compared with at term. Prostaglandin F levels were also significantly higher in mid-pregnancy, though there was no difference in the concentrations of the major circulating prostaglandin F metabolite, PGFM. Concentrations of prostaglandin E were similar at the two stages of pregnancy. The physiological significance of these findings is discussed.
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000097:blood; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000097:blood
D011453:Prostaglandins; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F; C008228:15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2alpha; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D015237:Dinoprost