Uterine activity and prostaglandin production following intraamniotic hyperosmolar urea

The relationship between endogenous prostaglandin (PG) production and uterine activity was studied in hyperosmolar urea induced abortion patients. Polygraphic recordings of intraamniotic pressure were obtained at periodic intervals following intraamniotic injection of 80 gm urea. At 0, 0.25, 1, 4 and 8 hours amniotic fluid and blood samples were obtained for PGE, PGF and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin of abortion. In eight patients studied, uterine tone was elevated by 0.25 hour although no rhythmic contractions were observed by 1 hour. At 4 hours, amniotic fluid PGF concentration increased significantly (P less than .01) over the pre-injection value and continued to increase at 8 hours. Amniotic fluid PGE, PGFM and all plasma PG's showed no change during the 8 hour period following urea administration. At time of abortion the plasma PGFM concentration was significantly. At time of abortion the injection (238 +/- 54.4 vs. 86.7 +/- 7.3 pg/ml). There was no significant concentrations. In the present study, there is no evidence that increased prostaglandin production precedes urea induced contractions. The possible role of PG's in uterine contractions is discussed.