Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′ -Monophosphate in Prostaglandin-induced Abortion

Abstract

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) in blood samples was followed during abortions induced with an intra-amniotic injection of prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) and E₂ (PGE₂) in women in the second trimester. The effect of intra-amniotic administration of PGE₂ on tissue cAMP levels and adenyl cyclase (AC) and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) in myometrium, maternal abdominal rectus muscle, placenta, and foetal liver and leg muscle was studied in women undergoing abortion with hysterotomy. Saline was injected intra-amniotically into controls. Plasma cAMP values showed inconsistent variation after injection of both types of PGs. On administration of PGE₂ uterine contraction started after 3 minutes. Myometrial cAMP increased 4-fold within 10 minutes, and these values also showed inconsistent variation. Neither AC or PDE activities were affected in myometrium by PGE₂.

Key Words:

• Abortion
• cyclic adenosine 3′
• 5′-monophosphate (cAMP)
• prostaglandins