REDUCED PRODUCTION OF PGE(2) AND PGF(2-ALPHA) FROM DECIDUAL CELL-CULTURES SUPPLEMENTED WITH N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS

A diet rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may reduce the in trauterine production of prostaglandins and prolong pregnancy. We test ed this hypothesis by assessing the influence of various PUFAs on the spontaneous production of PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) from decidual cell c ultures. In addition, we assessed prostaglandin and cytokine productio n stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in order to mimic parturitio n where infection is involved. In both settings, we found that after s upplementing with n-3 PUFA, PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) were significantly reduced. After supplementing with n-6 PUFA, there was a significant i ncrease in both prostaglandins. Both n-3 and n-6 PUFAs reduced the pro duction of interleukin 1 (IL-l), while n-6 PUFAs reduced TNF productio n. PUFAs did not influence IL-6 production. Our findings support the h ypothesis that dietary n-3 PUFA may prolong pregnancy by reducing intr auterine production of prostaglandins.