Abstract

PIP: This study investigated the effect of (PGE1) prostaglandin E1 and PGE2 on the pregnant human uterus. 8 pregnant women in the second trimester of pregnancy slated to undergo therapeutic abortion and 7 women at term comprised the study group. PGE1 and PGE2 were supplied in a sterile saline solution 50 mcg/ml. Infusion of the 2 substances in doses of 2 mcg/minute resulted in stimulation of tone and amplitude in those second trimester women. The relative potency of the 2 substances seemed approximately similar and no side effects were observed. In the term patients, the threshold dose seemed to be somewhere between 4 and 8 mcg/minute for either substance although stimulation of tone and amplitude was achieved with 2.5 mcg/minute in 1 case. In contrast to midpregnancy, it seemed that amplitude of contractions increased comparatively more than tone. Neither of these 2 compounds is suitable for induction of labor. While both tone and motility were stimulated at midpregnancy and at term, there was a qualitative difference; at midpregnancy, the effect on tone dominated whereas at term the increase in uterine activity was more marked than the elevation of tone. The difference is simply a reflection of the change in reactivity pattern of the uterus during the various stages of pregnancy.