PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS IN THE ENDOMETRIUM OF WOMEN WITH OVULAR DYSFUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING

Abstract

The endogenous concentrations of prostaglandins F_2α (PGF_2α) and E (PGE) were measured during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in the endometrium from 14 women with unexplained menorrhagia (measured menstrual blood loss in excess of 50 ml) and 15 women with normal menses (blood loss 50 ml or less). Although there was no significant difference in the PGF _2α/PGE ratio between the two groups, this ratio was significantly lower in the endometrium from eight of the women whose blood loss exceeded 90 ml (p 2α/PGE ratio and blood loss (r = 0.36, p 14C arachidonic acid. Endometria from nine women with unexplained menorrhagia synthesized more PGE₂ than PGF_2α, whereas the converse was true with 11 control endometria. Consequently the PGF_2α/PGE₂ ratio was significantly reduced in the former group (p 2α/PGE₂ ratio. These results suggest that excessive blood loss may be associated with a shift in the endometrial conversion of prostaglandin endoperoxide from PGF_2α to PGE₂.