Abstract
The initiation of premature labour by an ovine abortion strain of Chlamydia psittaci was studied in relation to Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2), which plays a major role in parturition. The local intrauterine concentration of PGE 2 was monitored after experimental infection with C. psittaci, during late gestation, using a catheterised sheep model. Indwelling catheters were implanted into the amniotic and allantoic cavities of six control sheep, and into six sheep infected with an ovine abortion strain of C. psittaci. The release of PGE 2 into the utero-ovarian vein of these sheep was also monitored. Infection with C. psittaci was associated with a premature rise in PGE 2 in the amniotic fluid between days 122 and 135 of gestation (P<0.01). A premature increase in PGE 2 was defected between days 127 and 136 of gestation (P<0.05) in the allantoic fluid of sheep infected with C. psittaci, but not in the control uninfected sheep. Chlamydial infection significantly decreased the secretion of PGE 2 into the utero-ovarian vein: The mean concentration of PGE 2 in the utero-ovarian vein of infected sheep was 68.8 ± 5.2% of the PGE 2 concentration of control sheep between days 122 to 141 of gestation (P<0.01). The release of PGE 2 into the utero-ovarian vein increased between days 126 to 136 of gestation in infected and control sheep (P<0.01). The results from the catheterised sheep model indicate that C. psittaci infection is associated with a local intrauterine release of PGE 2. The magnitude of this release was similar to the PGE 2 release in control sheep prior to parturition. The PGE 2 released during chlamydial infection may be active in initiating premature labour.
Published Version
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