[Prostaglandin levels in amniotic fluid during normal advanced pregnancy (author's transl)]

Radio-immuno assay was used, following extraction and fractionation, to measure primary prostaglandins in the amniotic fluid of 88 women in advanced pregnancy under normal conditions. No change was recordable from prostaglandin fraction B + A, whereas exponential rises were determined over the last four to six weeks of pregnancy for prostaglandins F and E. Prostaglandin E levels went up from 100 pg/ml amniotic fluid, between the 29th and 34th weeks of pregnancy, to 380 pg/ml, between the 39th and 40th weeks, whereafter they remained constant. Prostaglandin F levels were between 70 pg/ml and 100 pg/ml and went up to 422 pg/ml, with a mean value as high as 494 pg/ml being measured in the 41st and 42nd weeks of pregnancy. The prostaglandin E/F quotient decreased close to full term, between the 39th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy, on account of steeper rise of prostaglandin F. Prostaglandin approached nanogram values, more pronouncedly characteristic of childbirth, few hours before onset of regular pains.