TOPOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN AMNIOTIC-FLUID CONCENTRATIONS OF PROSTANOIDS IN WOMEN IN SPONTANEOUS LABOR AT TERM

These studies were designated to determine if there are differences in prostanoid concentrations between amniotic fluid (AF) retrieved trans vaginally from the membrane forebag (lower or forebag compartment) and fluid retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis from the 'upper compa rtment' in women in labor. Fluid was retrieved from 53 women in active labor who underwent transabdominal and transvaginal amniocentesis. Fl uid was assayed for prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)), 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2 alpha (P GFM), thromboxane B-2 (TXB(2)), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F-1 alpha (6- k-PGF(1 alpha)) using sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays. Concen trations of all prostanoids measured were significantly higher in flui d retrieved by transvaginal than transabdominal amniocentesis; the mag nitude of the increase (measured as the ratio of concentrations in the lower/upper compartment) was higher for PGF(2 alpha) and TXB(2) than for the other prostanoids measured; for each prostanoid measured, ther e was a significant correlation between the concentration in the upper and lower compartment.