Peritoneal fluid prostaglandins and prostanoids in women with endometriosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, and pelvic pain.

Peritoneal fluid obtained at laparoscopy from 49 women was measured for its content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-KF), and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) by specific radioimmunoassays. In normal women (n = 10), the concentrations of prostaglandins in peritoneal fluid were (mean +/- SE): PGE2 = 0.79 +/- 0.26, PGF2 alpha = 0.60 +/- 0.18, 6-KF = 0.48 +/- 0.19, and TxB2 = 0.23 +/- 0.09 ng/ml; in women with endometriosis (n = 16): PGE2 = 1.43 +/- 0.72, PGF2 alpha = 1.52 +/- 0.59, 6-KF = 3.32 +/- 0.71, and TxB2 = 1.14 +/- 0.69 ng/ml; in women with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and/or obstructed tubes (n = 19): PGE2 = 1.94 +/- 1.04, PGF2 alpha = 1.20 +/- 0.61, 6-KF = 1.55 +/- 0.40, and TxB2 = 0.64 +/- 0.24 ng/ml; in women with pelvic pain without any visible pathologic condition (n = 4): PGE2 = 1.11 +/- 0.66, PGF2 alpha = 0.73 +/- 0.55, 6-KF = 1.35 +/- 0.35, and TxB2 = 0.39 +/- 0.17. The mean volumes of peritoneal fluid recovered were 10 to 16 ml and were not significantly different between the groups. Except for a significantly elevated concentration of 6-KF in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis compared to normal women (p = less than 0.02), the prostaglandins measured did not differ significantly between the groups of women studied. The possible significance of elevated 6-KF in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis is discussed.