Effect of indomethacin and prostaglandin F2 alpha on incorporation of [3H]uridine by preimplantation mouse embryo.

Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, depressed the incorporation of [3H]uridine into RNA of mouse preimplantation embryo, when it was injected in vivo or added in vitro. In contrast, prostaglandin F2 alpha decreased the inhibitory effect of indomethacin, when it was added in vitro with indomethacin. The results of these experiments suggest that prostaglandin F2 alpha plays a role in the process of implantation and that the mouse preimplantation embryo may be able to produce prostaglandin F2 alpha.