Measurement of prostaglandins in embryonic tissue using radioimmunoassay.

Although prostaglandins appear to play an important role in numerous physiological processes in the adult, neonate, and fetus, very little is known about the role of these compounds in the embryo. This study demonstrates that rat embryo homogenates synthesized 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, PGE and PGF in markedly different amounts from endogenous substrate. Synthesis was inhibited by indomethacin (10 microM) in varying degrees (70-89%) depending on the prostaglandin. The metabolite of PGF2 alpha, 13, 14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha (PGF2 alpha-M), was produced in limited amounts in the absence of exogenous NAD. In the presence of exogenous NAD and PGF however, embryonic homogenates produced PGF2 alpha-M. The potential role of prostaglandins during embryogenesis is discussed.