Effects of Prostaglandin E2 on Ripening of the Cervix and Secretion of Relaxin, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol-17.BETA. and Progesterone at Term Pregnancy in the Japanese Monkey (Macaca fuscata fuscata).

Abstract

Effects of intracervical prostaglandin E2 (PGE 2)-gel treatment on ripening of the cervix at term pregnancy were investigated. Concentrations of relaxin, LH estradiol-17β and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassays in the maternal peripheral plasma during 48 hours after treatment with PGE2-gel. Treatment with PGE2-gel induced cervical ripening without induction of labor at term. Plasma levels of estradiol-17β increased after administration of PGE2-gel, whereas plasma levels of relaxin, LH and progesterone were unchanged during the period studied. These results suggest that increased levels of estradiol-17 β may be involved in ripening of the cervix without increasing circulating relaxin during the period of PGE2-gel treatment in the Japanese monkey.