Bioconversion of arachidonic acid by human uterine cervical tissue and endocervix in late pregnancy.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Prostaglandins (PG) may play an important role in cervical ripening in late pregnancy, i.e., cervical dilatation and softening. To investigate this, arachidonic acid metabolites of cervical tissue and endocervix were studied. To separate and identify the metabolites, silicic acid chromatography, TLC, reversed phase chromatography, GLC and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used. In cervical tissue, arachidonic acid was converted to 6-keto PGF1.alpha., PGF2.alpha., PGF2, thromboxane B2, and 12-HETE[12-hydroxyeicosa-5,8,10,14 tetraenoic acid]. In endocervix, arachidonic acid was converted to PGF2.alpha., PGF2, thromboxane B2, 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid and 12-HETE. There was no relation between the arachidonic acid conversion rate and the Bishop score (points of cervical ripening).