Prostaglandin E2 adn gestational hypotension in rabbits

Abstract Arterial levels of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE 2 (PGE 2 -M), a stable metabolite of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) were compared between unanesthetized pregnant (n=12) and nonpregnant (n=8) rabbits with the aim of elucidating the role of PGE 2 in the development of physiological hypotension associated with pregnancy. On the 20th and 22nd days of 30 day gestation period of mean arterial concentration of PGE 2 -M were about 10-times higher (p 2 -M (31.0±31.6 ng/ml) did not overcome those measured on earlier, normotensive days of gestation. Hypotension was also evident in a subgroup of pregnant rabbits (n=4) with low PGE 2 -M concentrations in the nonpregnant range (3.2±5 ng/ml vs 1.9±1.2 in nonpregnant rabbits, ns). Since the arteial level of PGE 2 -M proved to corelated (p 2 concentrations, we suggest that a key role of uteroplacental and renal PGE 2 played in the development of gestational hypotension is not probable in rabbits.