Pregnancy and progeny in rats treated with prostaglandin in F2alpha

The effects of prostaglandin F2alpha on pregnancy and embryonic development were investigated in pregnant rats. The animals were treated with the prostaglandin at a dose of 50 microgram s.c., on gestational days 9 to 11 or 12 to 15. Compared to the controls, only intrauterine growth was significantly altered. The number of viable offspring recovered near term was not affected by the treatment, and the incidence of fetal resorptions and malformations was not significantly increased when compared with the controls. However, the placenta revealed extensive areas of degeneration that are found in placental insufficiency. Also, the fetal adrenal cortex showed morphological changes indicative of intrauterine distress.