title: [Prostaglandins in human pregnancy and labor--studies on the levels of PGF2 alpha metabolites and in vitro production of PGE and PGF by uterus and placenta during human pregnancy and labor (author's transl)].
abstract: In order to study the relationship between labor and prostaglandin (PG) production, 13,14-dihydro 15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (dhk-PGF2 alpha) in plasma and amniotic fluid and 5 alpha, 7 alpha-dihydroxy 11-keto tetranor-prostane 1,16-dioic acid (the main urinary metabolite of PGF2 alpha [PGF2 alpha MUM]) in urine were measured by radioimmunoassay in 26 patients during pregnancy, labor and puerperium. In vitro PG production was investigated in the myometrium, decidua and amnion, obtained at term from 17 patients (9 before and 8 in labor) in cesarean section and from 7 in vaginal delivery. The radioimmunoassay newly developed for dhk-PGF2 alpha was satisfactory in its accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. During pregnancy, no increase in plasma dhk-PGF2 alpha (ng/ml) and PGF2 alpha MUM excretion (microgram/hour) was detected as delivery approached. But they elevated significantly around parturition (p less than 0.005), and decreased subsequently. A significant elevation of dhk-PGF2 alpha was found in amniotic fluid at delivery (p less than 0.01). PGE production was constant regardless of uterine contraction in three tissues tested, with the amnion showing the highest activity (p less than 0.005). PGF production increased remarkedly in association with uterine contraction in the myometrium and decidua. The myometrium showed the highest activity to produce PGF among three tissues during labor (p less than 0.025). These results indicate that the production of PGF2 alpha is remarkably increased during labor, and the myometrium appears to be the main source of PGF2 alpha.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014599:Uterus / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011458:Prostaglandins E; D011460:Prostaglandins F