PRODUCTION OF PROSTAGLANDINS BY THE PSEUDOPREGNANT RAT UTERUS, in vitro, AND THE EFFECT OF TAMOXIFEN WITH THE IDENTIFICATION OF 6‐KETO‐PROSTAGLANDIN F1α AS A MAJOR PRODUCT

1 Prostaglandin production by rat uterus homogenates has been studied, in vitro, on days 2 to 13 of pseudopregnancy. 2 The highest production of prostaglandins occurred on day 5. 3 The amounts of prostaglandins F and D formed were higher than the amounts of prostaglandin E on every day studied. 4 The ratios of prostglandins F and D to prostaglandin E produced steadily decreased up to day 6. It then increased with the highest values occurring between days 10 and 13, 5 Progesterone levels in peripheral plasma increased rapidly from days 2 to 5, remained high up to day 9, then steadily decreased between days 10 and 13. 6 The anti-oestrogenic drug, tamoxifen administered on day 2, significantly inhibited the increase of prostaglandin production which occurred on day 5. Prostaglandin E production was inhibited more than the production of prostaglandins F and D. 7 Analysis of the uterine extracts by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry showed prostaglandin F2alpha, F1alpha (in trace amounts), E2 and D2 to be present. 8 The major product detected was 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha. Its identification forms an addendum to the paper. 9 Also present as a major product was 6(9)-oxy-11,15-dihydroxyprosta-7,13-dienoic acid.