Objective: What is the significance of gravidine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, in parturition?
Methods: Gravidine concentrations were measured in amniotic fluid obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis from women in labor at term and not in labor using a sensitive and specific ELISA.
Results: (1) Amniotic fluid gravidine concentrations were lower in the presence than in the absence of labor. (2) Gravidine concentrations in the amniotic fluid of the forebag were higher than in the amniotic fluid of the upper compartment. (3) There was a positive correlation between gestational age and amniotic fluid gravidine concentrations. (4) No such correlation could be demonstrated between cervical dilatation and amniotic fluid gravidine concentrations.
Conclusion: These results suggest that gravidine may play a permissive role in the interplay with prostanoids in the mechanism of parturition.