Differential regulation of myometrial prostaglandin production by changes in length

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether stretching and shortening of human myometrial strips alters prostaglandin production. We measured 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha (PGF1alpha; a PGI2 metabolite) and PGF2alpha in the contraction baths of myometrial strips that were obtained at cesarean delivery from 5 term pregnant women. Fluid was collected after the stretching and after the strip lengths were decreased by 4%, 6%, or 8%. Prostaglandin concentrations were measured in triplicate by competitive enzyme immunoassay and compared by Kruskal-Wallis tests. Stretching myometrial strips increased the production of 6-keto PGF1alpha by 31%, but not PGF2alpha. Shortening strips had little effect on 6-keto PGF1alpha production, but increased PGF2alpha production by 158%. Stretching myometrial strips from pregnant women increases synthesis of PGI2; shortening strips increases synthesis of PGF2alpha. Differential prostaglandin synthesis that is related to myometrial stretching and shortening could play a role in uterine quiescence during gestation and increased contractility during parturition.