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Distribution and Biological Effects of Prostaglandins

The Agricultural Laboratories, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

Abstract

Prostaglandins occur in nearly all mammalian tissues. With the possible exception of PGA's, prostaglandins appear to act locally rather than as classical circulating hormones. Biologic activity is related primarily to alteration of smooth muscle contractility and modulation of hormonal activity. Relative to parturition, prostaglandins, especially PGE's and PGF's, have been shown to 1) increase at time of parturition in amniotic fluid, maternal placenta, myometrium, and blood; 2) stimulate myometrial activity; and 3) to induce either abortion or parturition. Relative to luteolytic effects, prostaglandins, especially PGF₂, have been shown to 1) increase in the uterus and blood to levels similar to exogenous levels required for eliciting luteolysis; 2) be capable of crossing from the uterine vein to the ovarian artery (sheep); 3) be related to IUD induced luteal regression (sheep), and 4) be capable of regressing the corpus luteum of most mammalian species studied to date. Prostaglandins have been reported to result in release of LH, prolactin, growth hormones, ACTH, and oxytocin. Data suggest prostaglandins, especially PGE's and PGF's, may be involved in the processes of ovulation and gamete transport.