STUDIES IN THE INVOLVEMENT OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN UTERINE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY

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Abstract
The concentrations of prostaglandins E2 and Fα were measured by radioimmunoassay in samples of endometrial tissue from 155 women. The results showed that the concentration of prostaglandin E2 (ng/100 mg of wet tissue; mean ± SD) in tissue from apparently healthy women with regular menstrual cycles was 79·3 ± 9·9 during the menstrual period. The level in the proliferative and early secretory phases fell to 11·8 ± 4·0 and 13·3± 8·3 respectively. During the late secretory phase there was a significant increase to 20·1±10·8. The corresponding values from patients with fibromyomata and without menorrhagia were similar. However, the concentration in tissue from patients with fibromyomata and menorrhagia was significantly higher (63·9 ±17·9) during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle. In addition, the amount was significantly higher in the groups with dysmenorrhoea (19 ·0 ± 4·5 proliferative; 68 · 0 ± 18 ·15 secretory) and irregular uterinbleeding (78·3 ± 59·0 proliferative; 87·4 ± 64·9 secretory). The mean concentration was higher in cases of endometriosis, and significantly elevated in endometrial carcinoma. The results for prostaglandin Fα showed a similar pattern, but the changes were less marked in patients with irregular dysfunctional bleeding. The findings are discussed.