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. 1974 Jan;236(2):465–472. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.1974.sp010446

Levels of prostaglandins in human endometrium during the normal menstrual cycle

J Downie, N L Poyser, M Wunderlich
PMCID: PMC1350813  PMID: 16992446

Abstract

The levels of prostaglandins in the human endometrium throughout the normal menstrual cycle were measured by bioassay. The identity of prostaglandin F and prostaglandin E2 in endometrial tissue extracts was established by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

The levels of prostaglandin F and prostaglandin E2 are low during the proliferative phase of the cycle (10-25 ng/100 mg tissue). Prostaglandin F rises significantly during the luteal phase to levels of 65-75 ng/100 mg of tissue. Prostaglandin E2 levels are similar to prostaglandin F levels in the proliferative phase but remain lower during the luteal phase. The prostaglandin E2 level is highest at menstruation (52 ng/100 mg tissue). The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the menstrual process and to the steroid hormonal changes during the cycle.

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Selected References

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