Changes in the expression of prostaglandin E and F synthases at induced and spontaneous labour onset in the sheep

• Published in: Journal of endocrinology Vol. 180; no. 3; pp. 469 - 477
• Main Authors: Palliser, HK, Ooi, GT, Hirst, JJ, Rice, G, Dellios, NL, Escalona, RM, Young, IR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Colchester BioScientifica 01.03.2004; Portland Press
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Electromyography; Endometrium - enzymology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenases - metabolism; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases - genetics; Labor, Induced; Models, Animal; Myometrium - enzymology; Obstetric Labor, Premature - enzymology; Placenta - enzymology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - metabolism; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Prostaglandin-E Synthases; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - analysis; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Sheep; Uterine Contraction; Vertebrates: reproduction; Spontaneous onset delivery; Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase; Enzyme; Arachidonic acid derivatives; Prostaglandin E2; Gene expression; Prostaglandin F2α; Pregnancy; Vertebrata; Induced parturition; Mammalia; Uterus; Eicosanoid; Female genital system; Sheep; Artiodactyla; Oxidoreductases; Ungulata; Endometrium; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 0022-0795; 1479-6805
• DOI: 10.1677/joe.0.1800469

The differential production of prostaglandin (PG) F(2 alpha) and PGE(2) within the uterine compartment may play a role in controlling myometrial contraction. We hypothesized that the enzymes downstream of PG endoperoxide synthase-2 (PGHS-2) determine the ratio of PGF(2 alpha) and PGE(2) in the utero-ovarian vein plasma and the time of normal and preterm labour onset. The aim of this study was to simultaneously determine the expression of PGF and PGE synthases (PGFS and PGES) in gestational tissues at spontaneous and induced-preterm labour in sheep. Myometrial, endometrial and placental tissue were obtained from ewes in dexamethasone-induced preterm labour, age-matched control ewes, and ewes in spontaneous term labour for analysis of mRNA expression by real-time PCR. PGFS mRNA expression was significantly increased following dexamethasone-induced and spontaneous labour onset in placentome (P<0.01) but was unchanged in the myometrium and endometrium. In contrast, PGES mRNA expression remained unchanged or decreased. PGHS-2 mRNA expression was increased in all tissues examined in both dexamethasone-induced and spontaneous labour (P<0.001). Plasma PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) concentrations rose in both dexamethasone-induced and spontaneous labour with the ratio of PGF(2 alpha):PGE(2) increased with labour onset (P<0.05). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the increased expression, of PGFS is responsible for the increased PGF(2 alpha):PGE(2) ratio and this, together with increased PGHS-2 expression, accounts for myometrial activity at labour onset. The findings point to PGFS expression as a key factor in regulating the uterotonic process in the sheep.