Epidermal growth factor modulation of prostaglandins and nitrite biosynthesis in rat fetal membranes

• Published in: Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and essential fatty acids leukotrienes and essential fatty acids, 2004, Vol.70 (1), p.33-40
• Main Authors: Ribeiro, M.L, Ogando, D, Farina, M, Franchi, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - pharmacology; EGF; Epidermal Growth Factor - administration & dosage; Epidermal Growth Factor - pharmacology; Extraembryonic Membranes - drug effects; Extraembryonic Membranes - embryology; Extraembryonic Membranes - metabolism; Female; Fetal membranes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Indomethacin - pharmacology; Isoenzymes - metabolism; Nitrates - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Donors - pharmacology; Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism; Nitrites; Nitroprusside - pharmacology; Pregnancy; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases - metabolism; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins - biosynthesis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor - metabolism; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0952-3278; 1532-2823
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2003.08.003

The production of prostaglandins (PGs) and nitric oxide (NO) by amnion tissue may play a significant role in parturition. It is thought that epidermal growth factor (EGF) may be one of the fetal signals that governs the initiation of labor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EGF in vivo on the PGs and nitrite production of rat fetal membranes. We have evaluated the regulation of PGs and nitrite production in rat fetal membranes ex vivo. The intra-uterine administration of EGF 500 ng in day 21 of pregnancy induced increases in PGE 2 ( P