13, 14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha concentrations in human plasma and amniotic fluid

An antiserum to 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alphaM) was prepared and a radioimmunoassay evaluated in various reproductive states. PGF2alphaM plasma concentration was 63.6 +/- 10.3 pg/ml (mean +/- SEM) in cycling women. The concentration fluctuated throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, but no discernible patterns were noted. PGF2alphaM concentrations were elevated at the time of urea + oxytocin induced abortion (238 +/- 54 pg/ml) and during late stages of normal labor (352 +/- 107 pg/ml) but were not elevated during labor prior to 7 cm dilatation. Following intra-amniotic instillation of 5 mg of PGF2alpha tromethamine into the amniotic sac, PGF2alphaM concentration increased in the amniotic fluid. In the plasma of these patients there was an eighteenfold rise in plasma PGF2alphaM concentration compared to a 3.5-fold rise in PGF2alpha at 1 hour, suggesting changes in PGF2alphaM may be more easily detected than the parent compound. While PGF2alphaM may be a useful index of PGF2alpha production, it appears that PGF2alphaM is of little value in predicting the occurrence of uterine contraction.