Cervical ripening and uterine contraction induced by prostaglandin E2-gel in pregnant Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata).

Effects of intracervical administration of PGE2-gel were studied in pregnant Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata fuscata) near term. Administration of PGE2-gel induced cervical ripening and an increase in maternal plasma PGE2 but no change in PGF2 alpha. Ultrastructural observations of the connective tissue of the cervix after PGE2-gel treatment revealed a decrease in the number of collagenous fibers. These results show that intracervical administration of PGE2-gel induces cervical ripening without induction of labor in the Japanese monkey.