Effects of fetal endotoxin administration on plasma prostaglandin F-2 alpha and cortisol levels in late-gestation fetal goats

Objective: Fetal plasma prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF(2 alpha)) and cortisol responses to fetal endotoxin administration were evaluated in late-gestati on goats (n = 9), Methods: After endotoxin (Escherichia coli, O111:B4 lipop olysaccharide) administration, fetal plasma PGF(2 alpha) and cortisol level s, fetal blood gases and pH were measured periodically. Results: After endo toxin administration, fetal plasma cortisol levels increased to 9.8 +/- 1.4 and 9.4 +/- 1.2 ng/ml after 1 and 3 h, respectively (p < 0.05) and PGF(2 a lpha) levels did not change throughout the study. Conclusions: These result s suggest that absent PGF(2 alpha) and attenuated cortisol responses to fet al endotoxin administration, relative to the adult, may be a self-protectiv e mechanism which diminishes the likelihood of premature delivery.