Effects of fetal endotoxin administration on plasma prostaglandin f(2alpha) and cortisol levels in late-gestation fetal goats.
OBJECTIVE
Fetal plasma prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) and cortisol responses to fetal endotoxin administration were evaluated in late-gestation goats (n = 9).


METHODS
After endotoxin (Escherichia coli, O111:B4 lipopolysaccharide) administration, fetal plasma PGF(2alpha) and cortisol levels, fetal blood gases and pH were measured periodically.


RESULTS
After endotoxin administration, fetal plasma cortisol levels increased to 9.8 +/- 1.4 and 9.4 +/- 1. 2 ng/ml after 1 and 3 h, respectively (p < 0.05) and PGF(2alpha) levels did not change throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that absent PGF(2alpha) and attenuated cortisol responses to fetal endotoxin administration, relative to the adult, may be a self-protective mechanism which diminishes the likelihood of premature delivery.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan.
K
K
Kijima
Y
Y
Yoneyama
R
R
Sawa
T
T
Araki
D000818:Animals; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000097:blood*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000472:pathogenicity; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006041:Goats; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D015237:Dinoprost; D006854:Hydrocortisone