Correlation of prostacyclin synthesis by human umbilical artery with status of essential fatty acid.

Prostacyclin production by human umbilical artery rings was measured in a variety of incubation media and related to gestational age, mode of delivery, and birth weight. Prostacyclin production was directly correlated with the status of essential free fatty acid in the tissue as assessed by the ratio of tissue concentrations of arachidonic acid and Mead's acid. The results indicate a possible association of the essential fatty acid status both with intrauterine growth retardation and with fetal vascular prostacyclin production.