Effects of various factors on prostaglandin synthesis by the guinea-pig uterus.

Phospholipases (PL) A-2 and C stimulated the outputs of prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha, PGE-2 and 6-keto-PGF-1 alpha from the Day-7 and Day-15 guinea-pig uterus superfused in vitro. PLC had a more pronounced effect than PLA-2, particularly on the output of PGE-2. The ratios of the outputs of PGF-2 alpha and PGE-2 were similar after stimulation by A23187 and PLA-2, but this ratio was lower after stimulation by PLC. It appears that the stimulation of endometrial PGF-2 alpha synthesis by Ca2+ is via activation of PLA-2 rather than via activation of PLC, although the PLC used was of bacterial origin (which uses phosphatidylcholine as substrate) rather than of mammalian origin (which uses phosphatidylcholine as substrate). Forskolin (which increased endometrial and myometrial cyclic AMP levels) and phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate had no effect on uterine PG output, indicating that cyclic AMP and protein kinase C are not involved in the stimulation of endometrial PGF-2 alpha synthesis in the guinea-pig. Uterine PG output was not stimulated by 54 mM-KCl, which shows that the pulsatile nature of endometrial PGF-2 alpha synthesis and release is not due to an intermittent, synchronous depolarization of the endometrial cells.