[Oxytocin (OT) and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM) levels after intracervical administration of PGE2 gel combined with administration of beta mimetics; biochemical changes and clinical consequences].

Intracervical application of 0.4 mg PGE2 gel for achieving maturity of the cervix before necessary inducement of labour results in 1-2% of the cases in permanent contractions in association with foetal bradycardias (Goeschen and Saling, 6). This Complication can be removed by the administration of the beta-mimetic Fenoterol given by the intravenous route. Basing on this fact we tried to find out whether it would be possible to prevent an increase in labour activity by administering Fenoterol before applying PGE2 without impairing the softening effect, and also how the OT and PGFM concentrations in the plasma are affected. To clarify this, we compared the clinical and biochemical results obtained in 5 patients who had been given 5 mg Fenoterol orally before receiving 0.4 mg PGE2 gel, with the results obtained in patients who had been treated without any previous Fenoterol administration with either 0.4 mg PGE2 (n = 10), 0.8 mg PGE2 (n = 6) or placebo gel (n = 5). In all groups treated with the preparation were obtained significant differences compared with the placebo group in respect of maturation of the cervix. Oral administration of Fenoterol did not produce any weaking of the softening effect; an increase of the dose to 0.8 mg did not result in an enhancement. After intracervical administration of 0.4 mg PGE2 gel the PGFM values remained unchanged with and without Fenoterol administration; the same was true also after 0.8 mg PGE2 and after placebo. As with spontaneous labour, a significant PGFM increase was seen only if the cervical diameter had attained 7 cm or more.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)