Preterm labor could have very bad consequences for the new-born. Every method which maintain pregnancy till term deserves to be analyzed. Such an analysis could throw a light on the process of parturition and open therapeutic possibilities against prematurity. Once a food-stuff antioxidant, Diphenyl-p-Phenylene-Diamine (DPPD) given to pregnant rats, delays or prevents parturition. We confirm the results of Oser. The daily dose of 20 mg from the 17th day of pregnancy upsets parturition. If injected from the 14th day, the parturition never occurs on time. Under the same circumstances (from the 14th day) the daily dose of 40 mg, more effective than 20 or 30 mg prolongs the pregnancy duration, causes fetal resorptions and often prevents birth of living fetuses. 200 micrograms of prostaglandin F2 alpha given on the 21st day almost totally cancel the very toxic action of 40 mg of DPPD which has been injected daily from the 14th day. When an antioxidant lengthens the pregnancy duration of rats, prostaglandin F2 alpha reestablish parturition. Thus the parturition delaying action of an antioxidant may be stymied by prostaglandin F2 alpha. This delaying action might be due to an inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandin. If applied against the threat of preterm birth, it will be necessary to test the innocuity, at the doses used, of the selected antioxidant and the absence of side effects for the mother and fetus.
Animals Antioxidants