Endocrine Abstracts

Parturition in the ewe is initiated by the fetus following the cortisol rise via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased intrauterine PG production. Dietary n-6 PUFAs, noteceably linoleic acid (LA) are the precursors for PG synthesis. The maternal intercotyledonary endometrium is the main site of PGF2alpha during labour. This study investigated the effect of dietary n-6 PUFA supplementation on uterine PG production at term. Ewes (n=32) we...

Cervical dilatation and myometrial contractions are essential processes of both pre-term and term labour. These processes are associated with enhanced production of 2-series prostaglandins (PGs) from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), by feto-placental tissues. Some human epidemiological studies suggest that specific PUFAs can alter the length of gestation. The amnion is a prime site for PG synthesis in the feto-placental unit. Thus perturbations of PG synthesis in this tiss...