Inactivation of prostaglandin E2 in the stomach of pregnant and oestrogen pretreated rats.

The stomach of pregnant and oestrogen pretreated female rats were found to inactivate significantly exogenous PGE2 when administered orally. The mean basal acid output of pregnant and oestrogen pretreated female rats were also diminished by oral infusion of PGE2. Though the exact mechanism for these phenomena cannot be readily seen from this work, it is suggested that metabolites of PGE2 may be responsible for the acid lowering and ulcer ameliorating effects of PGE2.