Amniotic fluid and maternal plasma prostaglandins in hypertonic saline-induced abortion

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Intraamniotic instillation of 20% sodium chloride solution was carried out in 12 women within the 16th to 18th weeks of pregnancy. PgE2 and PgF2.alpha. levels were monitored both in amniotic fluid 5 and 11 h following NaCl instillation as well as in the maternal plasma within the 5-h interval up to 36 h after instillation had been performed. A significant increase was observed of both PGE2 and PGF2.alpha. concentrations in the amniotic fluid of all women who underwent induction of abortion. PgF2.alpha. in amniotic fluid was increasing abruptly during the time of abortion, reaching the value of 249.7 .+-. 19.6 ng/l (n = 12; P < 0.001). Maternal plasma PgF2.alpha. showed a continuous mild increase from 20.4 .+-. 5.5 ng/l before to the maximum level, recorded 36 h after instillation, ranging within 205 .+-. 1.0 ng/l (n = 4; P < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in the levels of PgE2 and PgF2.alpha. in both amniotic fluid and maternal plasma suggests that the release of primary PGs is a pathognomonic event for initiating labor pains, maturation of the cervix in abortions induced via intra-amniotic instillation of hypertonic NaCl solution.