Inhibition of gonadotrophin-induced ovulation in rabbits by perfusion with dibutyryl cAMP via reduction of ovarian prostaglandin production.

The role of cAMP in ovulation, oocyte maturation and prostaglandin production was assessed using a rabbit ovary preparation perfused in vitro. Dibutyryl cAMP (10(-3), 10(-4) or 10(-5) mol l-1) was added to the perfusate of one ovary. The contralateral, control ovary was perfused with medium alone.

A comparison of serum and vaginal dialysate concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha in women undergoing 1st trimester therapeutic abortions.

13,14-Dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha(PGFM) levels in serum and vaginal secretion, before, one hour, and 24 hours post abortion were measured in 13 women from 8 to 12 weeks pregnant. The mean metabolite levels in the blood were 61.2 pg/ml pre-termination, 73.

Effects of human serum on rat cumulus-oocyte complex functions in vitro: oocyte activation and endocrine secretions.

Secretion of hormones and oocyte meiotic events were assessed following in vitro culture of ovulated rat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in media containing different types of human serum. Both toxic and nontoxic (determined by mouse embryo test) samples of fetal cord or adult female serum were utilized for these experiments. After short-term culture (4.

Changes in uterine venous prostaglandin F metabolites following intravenous infusion of ritodrine in sheep.

The effectiveness of the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist ritodrine as a tocolytic agent is limited by the tachyphylaxis that occurs with its sustained usage. In order to understand the nature of this tachyphylaxis, we investigated the effect of ritodrine on uteroplacental prostaglandin (PG)F2 alpha production in pregnant sheep. Using general anesthesia in five pregnant sheep, we placed catheters in the aorta and vena cava and in the uterine vein from the uterine horn.

The effect of the antioxidant, butylated hydroxy anisole, on peroxide-induced and spontaneous activity of the uterus from the pregnant rat.

Chorioamnionitis is associated with preterm labor. Leukocytes infiltrate infected tissue and secrete hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen products as part of their bactericidal activity. We have therefore investigated the effect of H2O2 on activity of in vitro uteri from pregnant rats.

Prostaglandins and progesterone secretion in the in vitro perfused pseudopregnant rabbit ovary.

The relationship between progesterone and prostaglandin (PG) secretion in the pseudopregnant rabbit corpus luteum was investigated using isolated in vitro perfused ovaries. Progesterone and PG secretion were measured on days 1, 11, and 18 of hCG-induced pseudopregnancy. The mean progesterone secretion increased significantly from days 1 to 11, and then decreased significantly by day 18.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on prostaglandin production and contractions of the pregnant rat uterus.

Although evidence for a role for prostaglandins in parturition is abundant, less is known about how prostaglandin levels are regulated at term. Conditions occurring peripartum in the uteroplacental unit can result in reactive oxygen production. We investigated the effect of one reactive oxygen product, hydrogen peroxide, on in vitro activity of uterine segments from the 18-day-pregnant rat.

Betamethasone effects on steroid and prostaglandin concentrations in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

Glucocorticoids delay parturition in rhesus monkeys, but the mechanism is unknown. This study was designed to determine the relationship between administration of glucocorticoids and prostaglandin levels in late pregnancy. Pregnant rhesus monkeys received intramuscular betamethasone (2 mg/day) from day 120 to day 133 of pregnancy.

The effects of bradykinin on ovulation and prostaglandin production by the perfused rabbit ovary.

Involvement of the vasoactive peptide bradykinin (BK) in ovulation, oocyte maturation, and prostaglandin (PG) production was assessed using an in vitro perfused rabbit ovary preparation. In the first experiment, BK at a concentration of 0.033, 0.

Cul-de-sac fluid in women with endometriosis: fluid volume, protein and prostanoid concentration during the periovulatory period--days 13 to 18.

Cul-de-sac fluid from women with histologically confirmed endometriosis (n = 45) or from infertile women without evidence of endometriosis (n = 28) was collected at the time of laparoscopy during the periovulatory period (days 13 to 18). This fluid was analyzed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a), 13,14-dihydro-15 keto-PGF2a (PGFM), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Protein content of the fluid also was determined.

Effect of OKY-046, a selective thromboxane inhibitor, on prostaglandin production and function of pregnant rat uteri and platelets.

The effect of OKY-046 (ONO, Japan), a selective TX inhibitor, was studied for its effect on uterine and platelet activity. On day 21 of pregnancy, rats were injected with either 0, 1, or 5 mg/kg OKY-046 via the tail vein. One hour following injections, in vitro activity of uteri and platelets was assessed.

Prostaglandin E2 release on the fetal and maternal sides of the amnion and chorion-decidua before and after term labor.

Release of prostaglandin E2 on each of the fetal and maternal sides of the fetal membranes (8 cm2) from term cesarean (no labor) and spontaneous vaginal (labor) deliveries was studied with the use of dual-compartment perfusion chambers. Postlabor amnion released significantly (p less than 0.05) more total prostaglandin E2 (5.

The effect of aminophylline on uterine smooth muscle contractility and prostaglandin production in the pregnant rat uterus in vitro.

The effect of aminophylline on contractility and prostaglandin production was investigated in a 20-day pregnant rat uterus preparation in vitro. A significant decrease was observed in frequency (24.4% of control, p less than 0.

Prostaglandin F metabolite concentration as a prognostic factor in preterm labor.

Concentration of the 13,14-dihydro,15 keto-metabolite of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) was measured in women being observed for preterm labor. The mean initial PGFM level was significantly higher in patients who delivered preterm (65.9 +/- 9.

Effect of intrauterine administration of tetracyclines on cynomolgus monkeys.

Cynomolgus monkeys were used to screen for chemicals which potentially could be used as tubal occluding agents. Intrauterine administrations of solution or pellets of tetracycline and its analogues (100 mg doses) were tested for their effects on morphologic changes in the reproductive tract of monkeys. These effects were compared to monkeys receiving intrauterine administration of quinacrine pellets (36 mg) since quinacrine has been used successfully in the clinical setting.

Comparative effects of intrauterine instillation of analogues of quinacrine and tetracycline on uterine morphology in the rat.

Currently, intrauterine instillation of quinacrine hydrochloride is used to induce closure of the uterotubal junction in women, thus constituting a chemical method of sterilization. Questions regarding the safety of this drug have been raised. The purpose of the present study is to screen other drugs for their sterilizing potential by comparing quinacrine-induced changes in uterine morphology in the rat which have previously been correlated with decreased fertility with the changes induced by other drugs.

Effect of ritodrine hydrochloride and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on contractile activity and prostanoid production of uteri from pregnant rats in vitro.

Ritodrine hydrochloride is a beta-mimetic amine which is used to inhibit premature labor. While the mechanism of action of beta-mimetic drugs is believed to be a function of its action on the adenylate cyclase system, the drug may also act via other mechanisms. We examined the effect of this drug on both contractile activity and prostanoid production using an in vitro preparation of a uterus from a 21-day pregnant rat.

Thromboxane production in the pregnant rat: differential recovery by platelets and uterus following aspirin administration.

Radioimmunologic data provide evidence that the pregnant rat uterus produces thromboxane B2 (TXB2). To provide further evidence that this radioimmunologic compound is TXB2, an extract of media incubated with uteri from 21-day pregnant rats was passed through a silicic acid column and each 1-ml eluate was tested for its ability to displace tritiated TXB2 from antibody. One peak was found and it corresponded to that of authentic TXB2 eluted through an identical column.

Cul-de-sac fluid in women with endometriosis: fluid volume and prostanoid concentration during the proliferative phase of the cycle--days 8 to 12.

Cul-de-sac fluid from women with histologically confirmed endometriosis (n = 45) or with no evidence of endometriosis (n = 17) was removed during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle (days 8 to 12) and analyzed for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM), and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). The fluid volume was recorded. Peripheral blood was also obtained to determine the concentration of PGFM.

Effect of platelet-generated thromboxane on contractions of the pregnant rat uterus.

Recent evidence indicates that thromboxanes are produced by uterine tissues. The effect of platelet-generated thromboxane A2 (TXA2) was therefore studied for its effect on uterine contractions. An incubation tube consisting of washed platelets (WP) was incubated with sodium arachidonate (AA).

Thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and prostaglandin F2 alpha production by contracting pregnant rate uteri in vitro.

While prostaglandin production by uterine tissue has been shown to be involved in the contractile mechanism of this tissue, less attention has focused upon the involvement of other prostanoids. We have simultaneously measured in vitro isometric contractility of pregnant rat uteri with the release of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-k-PGF1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) into the bathing medium under various conditions. Frequency of uterine contractions and integrated contractile force (ICF) increased from 15 days of gestation and peaked at the time of parturition.

Naproxen sodium, aspirin, and placebo in primary dysmenorrhea. Reduction of pain and blood levels of prostaglandin F2-alpha metabolite.

In a double-blind, crossover study of 32 women with primary dysmenorrhea, the analgesic efficacy of naproxen sodium was compared to that of aspirin and placebo. The treatment started 1 to 5 days before the onset of menses and continued for 3 to 5 days. At the same time, a radioimmunoassay established concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2-alpha, a prostaglandin F2-alpha metabolite (PGF-M) in blood samples obtained from before the treatment and on the first day of menses.

Plasma prostaglandin in pregnant women with term and preterm deliveries.

Because of the involvement of prostaglandins in the labor mechanism, it was hypothesized that elevated prostaglandin levels would presage preterm deliveries. A comparison of plasma 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) levels was made between pregnant patients who eventually delivered at term (N = 22) and those who delivered preterm (N = 17). Maternal blood was collected from each patient at approximately 1-week intervals between 16 and 40 weeks' gestation and during labor.

Angiotensin II and [Sar1, Ile5, Ala8]angiotensin II effect on contractile activity and prostaglandin production of in vitro pregnant rat uteri.

The effect of angiotensin II and [Sar1,Ile5,Ala8]-angiotensin II on uterine contractions and the relationship of uterine prostaglandins to these effects were studied. Uterine segments from pregnant rats were monitored in vitro for isometric contractile activity in Krebs-Ringer medium (95% O2-5% CO2; 37 C). The medium was sampled periodically and assayed for prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha by RIA.