Experimental studies on the influence of prostaglandins on the connective tissue of the human cervix uteri.

The influence of prostaglandins (PGs) on the synthesis of collagen and proteoglycans in the human cervix was estimated by incubation in vitro of cervical biopsy samples in the presence of tritiated amino acids and glucosamine after addition of PGE2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle PGs increased the labelling with [3H] glucosamine but reduced the labelling with [3H] hydroxyproline, [3H] proline and [3H] glycine. Conditions were reversed in the luteal phase. The stable metabolite of PGI2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, had an effect similar to that of the classical PGs. In the early period of the first trimester the pattern of PG effects was the same as in the luteal phase, i.e. the labelling with [3H] proline was increased and the incorporation of [3H] glucosamine was reduced after treatment with PG. At the end of the first trimester, PG affected the radiolabelling in an inverse way. It is concluded that PGs are involved in the control of the biosynthetic activity of the cervical connective tissue. PGs may play a role of modulators, reinforcing or accelerating the current biosynthetic activity, and directed mainly by hormonal, neuronal and other factors.