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ORCADIAN ASPECTS OF PROSTAGLANDIN F 2α‐ NDUCED TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
Author(s) -
Smith Ian D.,
Shearman Rodney P.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1974.tb00394.x
Subject(s) - circadian rhythm , prostaglandin f2alpha , medicine , abortion , pregnancy , infradian rhythm , rhythm , anesthesia , endocrinology , prostaglandin , obstetrics , biology , ultradian rhythm , genetics
Summary A series of 240 patients admitted for termination of middle trimester pregnancy received prostaglandin F 2α by intra‐amniotic injection at various times of the day. It was shown that the response (in terms of induction‐abortion interval, total dose of PGF 2α required and duration of hospitalization) was significantly influenced by the time of injection and that for each of these parameters there was a statistically significant circadian or 24‐hour rhythm. The optimal response was obtained following infusion of PGF 2α at 1800 hours. Observations on additional groups of patients indicated that this response rhythm was disturbed by bed rest during the day prior to PGF 2α administration. The induction‐abortion interval was also prolonged by concomitant use of d‐propoxyphene for analgesia and by twin pregnancies. In addition to the circadian rhythm of response related to the time of administration of PGF 2α there was a circadian rhythm in the hourly incidence of abortion, the peak incidence being recorded at about 0800 hours. The temporal relationship of the observed periodicity in response to the intra‐amniotic administration of PGF 2α to circadian fluctuations in plasma steroid levels is discussed. It is suggested that a chronotherapeutic approach to the induction of abortion or labour with prostaglandins may be advantageous.