[Prostaglandin biosynthesis by pregnant myometrium]

In order to study prostanoid biosynthesis, pregnant myometrium was taken from eleven patients undergoing cesarean section. Homogenates of myometrium were incubated with 14C labelled arachidonic acid and biosynthetic products were studied using silicic acid column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. There were two metabolites assumed to be 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT) or hydroxy acid. Concerning the prostaglandins, pregnant myometrium produced 6-keto PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha and PGE2. But the conversion rates to each prostaglandin has no relation to the gestational week. Moreover, the conversion rate to each prostaglandin was not higher in the samples taken from the patients with pains than that from the patients with no pains. The total conversion rate to prostaglandins also has no relation to the gestational week or pains. However the PGE2/PGF2 alpha (p less than 0.001) and 6-keto PGF1 alpha/PGF2 alpha (p less than 0.05) ratios were significantly higher in the patients with pains.