Acute effects of prostaglandins on the biosynthesis of connective tissue constituents in the non-pregnant human cervix uteri.

Biochemical effects of prostaglandins (PGs) on the connective tissue of the human cervix uteri were studied by measuring the net incorporation of [3H] glycine and [3H] glucosamine into cervical specimens, incubated in vitro in the presence of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. The net radiolabelling with these isotopes, precursors of collagen and proteoglycans, was influenced by PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in a similar manner. In the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, both PGs induced a decreased radiolabelling with glycine but caused an increased labelling with glucosamine. In the luteal phase, the situation was reversed, i.e. the incorporation of glycine was augmented and that of glucosamine was reduced in tissue incubated with PGs. It is suggested that PGs can modulate the fibroblast biosynthesis activity in such a way that either the synthesis of fibrous structures (collagen) or that of ground substance constituents (proteoglycans) is favored.