Endometrial prostaglandins in women with abnormal menstrual bleeding

Endogenous prostaglandin (PG) concentrations (6oxo PGF_1α, PGE, PGF_2α) have been measured by radioimmunoassay in the endaeetrium of women with objectively assessed menstrual blood loss (MBL). The concentration of PGE and “total” PG (6oxo PGF_1α+PGE+PGF _2a) was greater in the endometrium of those women with heavy menses (median MBL 152ml (range 86,432) n=16) than in those individuals with a normal menstrual loss (MBL 59m1 (18,78) n=18). The concentrations of PGE and PGF_2α were similar in each group, but the concentration of 6oxo PGF_1α was significantly less than that of both PGE and- PGF _2α. In 19 individuals, specimens of endometrium were incubated or I and 2 hours in modified 199 medium to assess PG release. There was a direct correlation between endogenous PG content and the production of 6oxo PGF_1α, PGE, PGF_2α and “total” PG in the first tour, which persisted for the second hour with PGF_2α and “total” PG. Endometrial PGs may play a role in the mechanism underlying menstruation; however the observed relationship between the prostanoids and MBL will vary with different experimental methods.