Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 1 and type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid in human fetal tissues throughout gestation and in the newborn infant.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the relative abundance of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 1 and type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid levels in the human fetus and newborn infant.


METHODS
We used ribonuclease protection assays and normalized values to messenger ribonucleic acid of cyclophilin. Tissues were obtained from all 3 trimesters and in the first 9 days of the newborn period.


RESULTS
Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 1 and type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid is present in every fetal tissue examined (lung, kidney, intestine, heart, brain, and stomach). Kidney and lung demonstrated no changes in the expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 1 messenger ribonucleic acid with gestational age, whereas postnatal levels in lung were one third those in the first trimester (P <.05). A large increase (5-fold to 30-fold; P <.05) occurred throughout gestation for the expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid in intestine, lung, and kidney, which extended into the newborn period for lung and kidney.


CONCLUSIONS
These data imply that the expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid may be responsible for prostaglandin-related effects and is coordinated in several human fetal tissues in late gestation.
Olson
D M
DM
Perinatal Research Centre and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Mijovic
J E
JE
Zaragoza
D B
DB
Cook
J L
JL
D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000201:enzymology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005865:Gestational Age; D006321:Heart / Q000196:embryology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007422:Intestines / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D007668:Kidney / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D013270:Stomach / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology
D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases