Investigations on prostaglandin levels in amniotic fluid and maternal blood during late pregnancy.

Prostaglandin E and F equivalents have been measured during late pregnancy in amniotic fluid and maternal venous blood by radioimmunoassay after purification on silicic acid columns. In amniotic fluid levels of both prostaglandins exhibit a tendency to increase, in particular after 36 weeks of gestation, possibly most markedly 20--4 h before the onset of labour. The PG E/F-ratio in amniotic fluid may slightly decrease during the late gestational age. In maternal venous blood variable low levels of both prostaglandins were observed without any correlation to the age of gestation.