Changes in the concentration of cortisol in amniotic fluid after intra-amniotic prostaglandin for midtrimester abortion.

ABSTRACT

PIP: The effects of intraamniotic prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2alpha on the concentrations of cortisol in amniotic fluid and in maternal peripheral plasma of patients undergoing abortion between weeks 16-23 have been examined. There was a significant (P0.01) increase in cortisol concentration in amniotic fluid 4 hours after PGE2, but not after PGF2alpha. The concentration of cortisol in maternal peripheral plasma increased in both groups with the progression of abortion, but levels were not significantly correlated with those in amniotic fluid. These results suggest that by midpregnancy, fetal cortisol production can be stimulated by PGE2 but the mechanism of this action remains to be elucidated.