[Prostaglandins and reproduction. I. Physiological aspects].

1) Eicosanoids are a family of polyunsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids and their metabolites. The metabolites are produced by three enzymatic pathways: the cyclooxygenase pathway, giving prostaglandins (PGs), the lipoxygenases and the epoxygenases pathways. Arachidonic acid (C20:4) is the most common fatty acid precursor in mammalian cells, where it is incorporated, as an ester, into the membrane lipid complex. 2) The eicosanoids have a variety of effects on several cell activities, including secretion, muscle contraction, cell growth and differentiation. The type of effect--stimulation or inhibition--depends on the metabolite, its concentration, the metabolic activity of the cell and the involvement of other humoral factors. 3) The message may be transmitted via a specific membrane receptor to a specific transduction system: the adenyl or guanyl cyclase system and mobilization of free cytosolic Ca2+, or via the participation of membrane ion channels. Depending on which is involved, the eicosanoid message applies to the cell in which it was synthesized or to neighboring cells (autocrine or paracrine action). 4) The eicosanoids, especially the PGs, take part in many reproductive processes; in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, particularly through the synaptic modulation by PGE2 (stimulation of LHRH secretion and inhibition of noradrenaline secretion); in the ovary: follicle maturation and luteolysis; in the oviducts: gamete migration; in the uterus: ovum implantation and parturition. 5) PGs seem to have a variety of species-dependent effects on the normal onset of labor. In sheep there is an increase in fetal cortisol, a drop in the progesterone/estradiol ratio and increased PG synthesis. In women, there is an increase of phospholipase A2 activity in amnios and uterus with an increase of PGE2 in the first tissue and of PGF2 alpha in the second one. 6) The PGs from the seminal fluid have several actions. They effect fertility by acting on the female genital tract or on the spermatozoa. PGE1 and PGE2 influence the fertilization capacity. PGs also effect the process of ejaculation (inhibition of the stimulatory effect of noradrenaline). Finally, they effect the immune responses: PGEs and 19 hydroxy PGEs immuno-suppressive characteristics.