Application of prostaglandin-profiling techniques to study the release of prostaglandins from the fetal lamb ductus arteriosus.

Through gas chromatographic techniques with capillary columns and electron-capture detection which allow the resolution of prostaglandins F2 alpha, D2, E2, thromboxane B2 and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha and their 15-keto-and 15-keto-13,14-dihydro metabolites, we have studied the release of these products from the ductus arteriosus in vitro. 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha was the major product in the incubation fluid while 15-keto-13,14-dihydro prostaglandin F2 alpha was the major product in the tissue. Prostaglandin E2 was almost undetectable in the fluid and tissue. Prostaglandin I2 formed in major proportions by the tissue is released mostly as 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, although minor amounts of its 15-keto-13,14-dihydro metabolites were detected. These results show differential release of prostaglandin types by this tissue, demonstrating formation and metabolism of endogenous prostaglandins at the same time.