Serial changes after experimental intra-amniotic group B Streptococcus (GBS) inoculation in uterine contractility, GBS [colony-forming units (cfu)/ml], pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins for single representative animals in each treatment group: (A) control; (B) ampicillin alone; (C) ampicillin, dexamethasone and indomethacin. The x-axis represents the gestational age in days. The y-axis is the hourly contraction area, or the quantity of GBS (cfu/ml; red line), amniotic fluid interleukin-1β (IL-1β; blue line) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; green line). The length of time that a particular drug was administered is indicated above (B) and (C). Reprinted from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with permission of Elsevier, and modified.27