Arachidonic acid metabolism by the non-pregnant human uterus

Arachidonic acid metabolism in the non-pregnant human uterus was studied using short term incubations of human endometrium and myometrium with [14C] arachidonic acid followed by HPLC separation of the arachidonic acid metabolites formed. Lipoxygenase as well as cyclooxygenase activity was found in both the endometrium and myometrium although the endometrium predominated in arachidonic acid product formation. The lipoxygenase products formed by these tissues included the monohydroxy acids 5-HETE and 12-HETE.