Prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism in the human uterus and midtrimester fetal tissues

Abstract
Prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and metabolism were studied in human fetal kidney, lung, small intestine, heart, brain and liver (gestational ages: 10, 12, 14, 18 and 23 wk) and pregnant uterus (4-40 wk of pregnancy). PG synthesis was increased in the myometrium during pregnancy; the capacity of metabolism did not change. PG synthesis increased in lung and kidney (4-fold), brain (20-fold) and small intestine (2-fold) but not in heart or liver. Metabolic activity increased in the fetal kidney and lung.