[The influences of prostaglandin E2 on hormones in maternal-fetoplacental unit].

The influences of PGE2 on hormones in maternal-fetoplacental unit and the initiation of labor were studied in full term pregnant women. PGE 2 (500 micrograms, 1tab.) was administered every hour, 6 times and serum unconjugated estriol (E3), progesterone (P), human placental lactogen (hPL), prolactin (Prl) and cortisol (C) were assayed before and during PGE2 administration. In 13 pregnant women (Group A) in whom uterine contractions were induced, E3, hPL and C were higher, though not significantly, than those in 6 women (Group B) in whom uterine contractions did not occur. On the other hand the P level in Group A was lower than in Group B. E3 levels during PGE2 administration rose slightly in both groups. P decreased 16.8% of basal levels in Group A, 7.3% in Group B. Prl decreases were 11.7% and 24.8%, respectively. These drops were not as significant as the changes in hPL and C. These results suggest that the method and dosage of PGE2 used in this study do not affect hormonal regulations in the maternal-fetoplacental unit and that we may use hormonal levels as an indicator of fetal well-being even during PGE2 administration.