[Steps in the synthesis of prostaglandins in the serum during and following delivery (author's transl)].

The levels during and following delivery are investigated of the unesterified fatty acids (UFS), of the prostaglandin precursors arachidonic and Dihomo-gammalinolenic acids and of their possible essential precursor oleic acid. The summation curve of the total fraction of the unesterified fatty acids contains different patterns of different fatty acids. 24 hours after delivery only oleic acid and arachidonic acid are significantly increased. The patterns of glycerine, the triglycerides and the ketone bodies, the acetate and the beta-hydroxy butyrate show the different changes of the fatty acids in correlation to lipolysis, to beta-oxidation rate of fatty acids, to lipogenesis and to an increased turn over of prostaglandins.