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Prostaglandin Biosynthesis in the Umbilical Artery and Its Relation to Fetal Growth
Author(s) -
Mitsuhashi Naoki,
Kuwabara Yoshinori
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
asia‐oceania journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 0389-2328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1994.tb00429.x
Subject(s) - umbilical artery , arachidonic acid , fetus , placenta , medicine , endocrinology , prostaglandin , vasodilation , metabolite , single umbilical artery , chemistry , pregnancy , biology , biochemistry , enzyme , genetics
Arachidonic acid metabolites were investigated in umbilical arteries of 16 normal pregnancies. Several prostaglandins (PGs) and hydroxyacids were synthesized by the umbilical artery. Prostaglandin I 2 , PGF 2a , PGE 2 and PGD 2 were found in the products, and PGI 2 was the most abundant metabolite in the umbilical artery. The conversion rate of PGI 2 from arachidonic acid is strongly correlated with the body weight of the baby (correlation coefficient: 0.621) and with the weight of the placenta (correlation coefficient: 0.668). PGI 2 is known to be a strong vasodilator and anticoagulant, and is known to increase blood circulation. We therefore conclude that the PGI 2 ‐syn‐thetic activity of the umbilical artery is strongly related to feto‐placental blood flow and hence to fetal growth.