Physiological evidence for the possible existence of anhydrolevuglandin E2-like activity in extracts and media from uteri of rats.

Physiological evidence is presented for the possible existence of anhydrolevuglandin E2-like activity in extracts of uteri from diestrous rats and after treatment of adult rats with estradiol and progesterone. The extracts were able to inhibit contractions in rat uterine preparations stimulated by PGE2. Uteri of vaginal Stage 3 (metestrus) were quiescent and showed decreased responsiveness to PGE2 and PGF2 alpha. These uteri showed some contractility when incubation medium from diestrous uteri (Stage 5) were transferred to them and incubation medium from them inhibited the contractility of Stage 5 uteri. When incubation media were exchanged between contractile uteri from of stages other than Stage 3, there was no change in the contraction patterns. Taken together, we believe these data indicate that AnLGE2 may be a normal constituent of the rat uterus and is physiologically increased during Stage 3 (metestrus) of the estrous cycle.