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Production of prostaglandin by late-gestation porcine placental cells in vitro

Summary. Fifteen sows were assigned to three groups of five each, according to gestational age (109 days, 114 days or labour). Two fetuses per sow were chosen at random, and amnion, allantochorion, amniochorion, amniotic fluid and fetal urine were collected. Tissues were enzymatically dispersed and incubated for 1, 2, 3 or 4 h and the prostaglandin (PG) content of the supernatant medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. In general, all placental cell types produced at least three times more prostaglandin E (PGE) and 6-keto-PGF₁ than PGF. Production did not vary across gestational age, except that production of 6-keto-PGF₁ was lower in cells collected during labour, resulting in a relative increase in PGF and PGE. Amniochorion cells had a lower de novo capacity to synthesize PG than did allantochorion or amniochorion, whereas treatment of allantochorion with preterm amniotic fluid, preterm or term fetal urine resulted in increased PG output. These results demonstrate that porcine placental cells can synthesize and metabolize prostaglandin in late gestation but suggest that their capacity to produce PGI₂ (as measured by 6-keto-PGF₁) is lower than for other prostaglandins during labour.

Keywords: prostaglandin; placenta; pig; fetal fluids