F prostaglandin levels in amniotic fluid in premature labour

The concentration of prostaglandin F (PGF) in amniotic fluid was measured by radioimmunoassay in 27 patients admitted in premature labour. There was a strong correlation between PGF levels in amniotic fluid and both cervical dilatation (r = 0.81; P less than 0.001) and duration of labour (r = 0.79; P less than 0.001). Cervical dilatation greater than 7 cm was associated with levels exceeding 2000 pg/ml. When contractions were present for less than one hour, levels of PGF were below 50 pg/ml. Low levels of PGF were found in amniotic fluid from a separate group of three patients, of whom two had cervical incompetence. It is concluded that the onset of premature labour is not associated with elevated levels of PGF in amniotic fluid. During premature labour, concentrations rise to an extent comparable to that observed in labour at term.