Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Sep;45(9):1530-1536.

Changes in the Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 after Labor in Myometrium and Fetal Membrane of Term Pregnancy

• Kim JH
• Kim YA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the production of prostaglandins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of Cox-2 in various human conceptional tissues obtained from term pregnant women in labor and those not in labor.
METHODS
Myometrium, chorion, and amnion were collected during cesarean section from women in labor and women not in labor. The expression of Cox-2 in each tissue was measured by Western blot analysis and the localization of Cox-2 in these tissues was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS
Western blot analysis showed significantly higher levels of Cox-2 in the tissue from women in labor than that from women not in labor. Immunohistochemical detection showed stronger cytoplasmic staining in the smooth muscle cells and amnion obtained from women in labor than that from women not in labor, but no change was found in chorion.
CONCLUSION
In term pregnancy, the expression of Cox-2 increases in the smooth muscle cells and amnion, placenta, but not in chorion after labor.

Keyword

Cyclooxygenase; Labor; Placenta; Myometrium; Membrane

MeSH Terms

Amnion
Animals
Blotting, Western
Cesarean Section
Chorion
Cyclooxygenase 2*
Cytoplasm
Extraembryonic Membranes*
Female
Humans
Membranes
Mice
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle
Myometrium*
Placenta
Pregnancy*
Pregnant Women
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Prostaglandins
Cyclooxygenase 2
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Prostaglandins