The influence of amniotic fluid on prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism in human fetal membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of amniotic fluid on prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism in the fetal membranes.


METHODS
A cell culture study of amnion and chorion obtained at elective cesarean section incubated with amniotic fluid collected following either spontaneous labor and delivery, or elective cesarean section.


METHODS
Forty-eight pregnant women at 3742 weeks gestation: 24 in spontaneous labor and 24 delivered by elective cesarean section.


RESULTS
Significantly more PGE2 and PGF2alpha were produced by amnion and chorion treated with amniotic fluid from spontaneous labor compared with elective cesarean section. Spontaneous labor amniotic fluid favors PGE2 and PGFM production by amnion and chorion respectively; while elective section fluid stimulates PGE2 synthesis by both tissues (reflected as PGEM in chorion). Amniotic fluid, from either spontaneous labor or elective section, had no effect on the metabolism of exogenous PGE2 or PGF2alpha by chorion cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Spontaneous labor is associated with the presence of a substance in amniotic fluid which facilitates prostaglandin synthesis in the fetal membranes, but which is without effect on prostaglandin metabolism.
Brennand
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, UK.
Leask
R
R
Kelly
R
R
Greer
I
I
Calder
A
A
D000650:Amnion / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002823:Chorion / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy
D015237:Dinoprost; D015232:Dinoprostone