Abstract
Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) is important in the early stages of human labour, leading particularly to cervical ripening and dilatation. The source of PGE 2 is thought to be either the amnion or the decidua, but the chorion interposes between the amnion and the target tissues, namely the myometrium and cervix. In order to investigate the role of the chorion in modulating prostanoid production, [ 3H]PGE 2 was added to the amnion side of fetal membranes, and the production of metabolites on both sides of the fetal membrane followed by HPLC. The major metabolite was 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGE 2 with smaller amounts of 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGA 2 and PGB 2. The production of all metabolites of PGE 2 was time dependent. [ 3H]PGF 2α, which is normally produced by the decidua, was also added to fetal membranes and found to be metabolised to 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-PGF 2α and PGE 2. These results suggest that the metabolic enzymes in the chorion may determine intra-uterine levels of prostaglandins, and may also determine the identity of the eicosanoids released by intact fetal membranes.
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