Plasma Levels of Prostaglandin Metabolites in Zinc-Deficient Female Rats Near Term

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Abstract
To investigate the possibility that impaired prostaglandin biosynthesis is involved in the development of postpartum illness in zinc-deficient female rats, plasma levels of three prostaglandin metabolites, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2α, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGE2, and 6-keto PGF1α were determined on day 22 of gestation. During the gestation period female rats were fed low zinc (2α than controls; plasma 6-keto PGF1α levels were not different. Zinc-deficient dams fed the basal diet containing 15 IU/kg vitamin E had significantly higher plasma levels of all three prostaglandin metabolites than controls. The pathology of zinc deficiency is not due to decreased prostaglandin production, but the present results and the pathological signs are consistent with failure of prostaglandin function.