Open AccessLimited Transfer of Prostaglandin E2 Across the Fetal Membrane before and after Labor
Author(s) -
Roseblade Christopher K.,
Sullivan Mark H.F.,
Khan Haroon,
Lumb Michael R.,
Elder Murdoch G.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349009013301
Subject(s) - amnion , prostaglandin e2 , decidua , fetus , membrane , fetal membrane , medicine , prostaglandin , endocrinology , andrology , pregnancy , biology , biochemistry , placenta , genetics
The transfer of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) across intact fetal membranes (amnion‐chorion‐decidua) obtained before and after the onset of labor was investigated using a novel system for in vitro fetal membrane culture. Studies using physiological concentrations of PGE2 showed that very little PGE2 will cross the membranes without being metabolised, before or after the onset of labor. It was only when pharmacological concentrations of PGE2 were used that the enzyme activity of the chorion was no longer able to prevent transfer of PGE2 without conversion to inactive metabolites. These results suggest that only small amounts of PGE2 from amnion are normally transferred across the chorio‐decidua before or after the onset of labor, but the metabolism of PGE2 subsequent to transfer across the fetal membranes requires further assessment.