Prostacyclin production by human placental cells in short-term culture.

Human placentae of varying gestational ages have been cultured in vitro with little variation in cell type and pattern of growth found. Cell types found are similar morphologically and histochemically to those previously described. The biological specificity of the cells in culture was also confirmed by human placental lactogen production.

Decreased prostacyclin production by placental cells in culture from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation.

Production of prostacyclin (PGI2) in vitro by human placental cells from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation was significantly reduced compared with that in placental cells from normal pregnancies of either matched gestation or at term. This appeared to be due to a reduction of synthesis of PGI2 rather than to any alteration in the rate of its enzymic metabolism. Addition of oestradiol and progesterone increased PGI2 production by cells from pregnancies with fetal growth retardation in a similar manner to that by cells from first trimester pregnancies, implying that the placental cells are not irreversibly damaged by ischaemia.

Peripheral plasma immunoreactive 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha and gynaecological tumours.

Peripheral plasma levels of immunoreactive 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin, were significantly higher in female patients with tumours of the genital tract than in normal controls. In the groups with malignant tumours, these high levels declined after operation and/or radiotherapy if the tumour responded to treatment. In patients who did not respond to treatment or with tumour recurrence, levels of plasma 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha remained high or even rose further.