The effects of prostaglandin E2 on pregnancy and embryonic development in mice

The prostaglandins comprise an important and unique group of naturally occurring biological regulators. These substances are currently being widely used for the induction of labor and termination of pregnancy. The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on pregnancy and embryonic development were investigated in Swiss-Webster mice. PGE2 induced a high incidence of abnormal offspring in mice when administered subcutaneously on either day 9, 12 or 15 of gestation. In addition, fetal growth was significantly affected following treatment with the prostaglandin on either the 12th or 15th day of gestation.