EFFECT OF PROSTAGLANDINS ON INVITRO SYNTHESIS OF PROGESTERONE AND OESTRADIOL-17-BETA IN PLACENTA FROM EARLY HUMAN-PREGNANCY

In vitro synthesis of progesterone and estradiol-17β from endogenous precursors was studied in the placenta from women in early stage of gestation (< 7 weeks). Radioimmunoassay techniques were used to measure progesterone and estradiol-17β. It was shown that placental tissue from as early as six weeks of gestation can synthesize both progesterone and estradiol-17β in vitro. Prostaglandins F2α and E2 in concentration of 100 μg/ml of the incubation media did not have any significant effect on the in vitro synthesis of progesterone and estradiol-17β in the placental tissue. It seems unlikely that the abortifacient effect of natural prostaglandins PGE2 and PGF2α is due to their direct action on the synthesis of progesterone and estradiol-17β in the placenta. © 1979 Geron-X, Inc.