We examined the possible interrelationship between nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) products in the uterus during pregnancy and labor. Results indicate that 1) rat uteri during labor, at term, demonstrated a 69% decrease in nitrite production and a 217% increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production compared with day 18 of pregnancy; 2) interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) induced a pronounced elevation of both nitrites and PGE2 in rat uteri; 3) diethylenetriamine/NO, a donor of NO, induced a significant increase of PGE2 production by the uterus in a dose-dependent manner; 4) NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of NO synthesis, markedly inhibited IL-1 beta-induced nitrite and PGE2 in rat uteri; this inhibitory action was reversed by coincubation with L-arginine; 5)exogenous PGE2 significantly inhibited IL-1 beta-induced, but not constitutive, nitrite production; and 6) inhibition of endogenous PGE2 by indomethacin substantially increased IL-1 beta-induced nitrite production. Thus the interaction between NO and COX pathways might be important in the regulation of uterine contractility during pregnancy and labor.