Prostaglandin E and F concentrations in placentae of normal, hypertensive and pre-eclamptic patients.

The prostaglandins E and F were measured by radioimmunoassay in placentae from 23 normotensive, 25 hypertensive and 13 pre-eclamptic patients. The prostaglandin E levels were respectively (pg/mg +/- SEM) 16.34 +/- 2.06, 16.75 +/- 2.52 and 12.10 +/- 3.63. The prostaglandin F levels were 2.43 +/- 0.41, 2.70 +/- 0.42 and 2.06 +/- 0.31. These prostaglandin concentrations did not differ significantly. Local ischaemia may, therefore, be explained by altered responsiveness to these prostaglandins or to changes in other prostaglandins (such as the vasodilator PGI2) or other vasoactive agents.