Molecular Bidogical Analysis of Prostaglandin Synthesis in The Pregnant Myometrium and Fetal Membrane

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The pregnant myometrium relaxes and does not contract in spit of rapidly growing fetus. However, the myometrium contracts vigorously after onset of labor and gives birth to the neonate. Thus moyoetrium is hypothesized to be "quiescent phase" during pregnancy, which changes into "active phase" after initiation of parturition. The aim of the present study is too investigate such dynamic changes of myometrial tonus during pregnancyWe revealed that the expression of COX-2 and/or cPLA_2,the enzymes contributing to prostaglandin synthesis, is locally up-regulated in the decidua and amnion close to dilated cervical canal in labor. In vitro studies suggested that cyclic distension by labor may contribute to such local up-regulation of COX-2 at least partlyOn the other hand, pregnancy significantly elevated COX-1 and prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) expression in the human myometrium. In vitro studies revealed that estrogen significantly elevated both COX-1 and PGIS protein and mRNA expression and that cyclic mechanical stretch significantly augmented PGIS mRNA expression in the transcription levelTherefore, both estrogen and cyclic stretch play important roles in the regulation of prostaglandins production both in fetal membrane as well as myometrim during pregnancy