The prostanoid content in peritoneal fluid and plasma of women with endometriosis

Peritoneal fluid and plasma collected at laparoscopy in women with and without endometriosis were evaluated for prostanoid content. 6-Keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-F1 alpha), thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 15-keto- 13, 14-dihydroprostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM), prostaglandin F (PGF) and prostaglandin E (PGE) were assayed in peritoneal fluid, with 6-keto-F1 alpha, TxB2, and PGFM being studied in plasma. The concentrations of these prostanoids in women with endometriosis were not significantly different from the concentrations in the disease-free group, nor was a significant difference seen in any of the prostanoids studied in relationship to the severity of the endometriosis. The results suggest that routine study of prostanoid levels in patients with endometriosis may not be of a diagnostic or prognostic value.