Prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and metabolism was studied in human fetal kidney, lung, small intestine, heart, brain and liver (gestational ages: 10, 12, 14, 18 and 23 weeks) and pregnant uterus (4-40 weeks of pregnancy). PG synthesis was increased in the myometrium during pregnancy while the capacity of metabolism did not change. PG synthesis increased in lung and kidney (4-fold), brain (20-fold) and small intestine (2-fold) but not in heart or liver. Metabolic activity increased only in fetal kidney and lung.
Female Fetus