The concentrations of the prostaglandins E and F, 13 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F and thromboxane B2. In tissues obtained from women with and without pre-eclampsia.

The concentrations of prostaglandins E (PGE) and F (PGF), 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F (PGFM) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in tissues obtained from women with and without pre-eclampsia. The concentrations of PGE in the amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta obtained from subjects with pre-eclampsia were significantly lower than those from subjects without pre-eclampsia. The concentration of PGE in these tissues increased significantly with gestational age and correlated with urinary oestrogen excretion. PGF concentrations were lower in the amnion and placenta of the pre-eclamptics compared to those without pre-eclampsia. The concentrations of PGFM in the amnion, decidua, and myometrium were lower in the pre-eclamptics. No significant difference in the TXB2 concentrations between the two groups of subjects were found. It is suggested that the altered tissue concentrations of prostaglandins in pre-eclamptics are due to the effects of gestational age and oestrogens and may or may not be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.