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...

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supply precursors for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and PGs in turn influence many aspects of reproduction. We have previously demonstrated that supplementation of the diet of dairy cows with the n-6 PUFA [linoleic acid (LA)] significantly inhibited uterine PG production. In this study we have investigated the effects of various n-6 PUFAs in vitro on PG production by ovine endometrial cells.Endometrial tissue was...

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...

Recent health reports state that the population of western countries is consuming excessive amounts of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the diet. Dietary n-6 PUFAs are precursors for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, which play important roles in parturition. Increased dietary n-6 PUFA could thus alter PG production. This study determined the effect of a high n-6 PUFA diet on PG production and the timing of the onset of labour. Pregnant Welsh Mountain ewes were fed an is...