Effects of prostaglandin E-2 on ripening of the cervix and secretion of relaxin, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17 beta and progesterone at term pregnancy in the Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata fuscata)

摘要

Effects of intracervical prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2))-gel treatment on ripening of the cervix at term pregnancy were investigated. Concentrations of relaxin, LH estradiol-17beta and progesterone were measured by radioimmunoassays in the maternal peripheral plasma during 48 hours after treatment with PGE(2)-gel. Treatment with PGE(2)-gel induced cervical ripening without induction of labor at term. Plasma levels of estradiol-17beta increased after administration of PGE(2)-gel, whereas plasma levels of relaxin, LH and progesterone were unchanged during the period studied. These results suggest that increased levels of estradiol-17beta may be involved in ripening of the cervix without increasing circulating relaxin during the period of PGE(2)-gel treatment in the Japanese monkey.