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Possible Role for Prostaglandin F2α in Parturition in Sheep

Nature volume 232, pages 629–631 (1971)Cite this article

Abstract

PROSTAGLANDINS F2α (PGF2α), E1 (PGE1) and E2 (PGE2) have potent oxytocic properties that have led to their successful use in induction of labour and abortion in women1. They have been found in tissues and biological fluids of women in spontaneous labour but it is not clear whether the release of prostaglandins has an important physiological role in the control of labour or whether it is a consequence of labour. Karim and Devlin2 found PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α and PGF2α in amniotic fluid of women in labour although only PGE1 was present in samples obtained before labour. The source of prostaglandins in amniotic fluid may be the decidua, which shows the same pattern of prostaglandins as amniotic fluid—PGE1 before labour and PGE1, PGE2, PGF1α and PGF2α during labour2. The decidua may also be the source of PGF2α found in peripheral venous blood3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland,

    G. C. LIGGINS & SUSAN GRIEVES

Authors
  1. G. C. LIGGINS
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  2. SUSAN GRIEVES
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LIGGINS, G., GRIEVES, S. Possible Role for Prostaglandin F2α in Parturition in Sheep. Nature 232, 629–631 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/232629a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/232629a0

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