Thromb Haemost 1982; 48(01): 009-012
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1657204
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

6-oxo-Prostaglandin F and Thromboxane B2 in Uterine Vein Blood - A Possible Role in Menstrual Bleeding

C F Goodfellow
1   The University Dept. of Obstetrics, Leeds, U. K.
,
R C Paton
2   The University Dept. of Medicine, General Infirmary, Leeds, U. K.
,
J A Salmon
3   The Dept. of Prostaglandin Research, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, U. K.
,
S Moncada
3   The Dept. of Prostaglandin Research, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, U. K.
,
J K Clayton
4   The St. Luke's Hospital, Bradford, U. K.
,
J A Davies
2   The University Dept. of Medicine, General Infirmary, Leeds, U. K.
,
G P McNicol
University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, U. K.
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
28 August 2018 (online)

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Summary

The role of the haemostatic system in relation to menstrual bleeding is poorly understood. Platelet retention to glass beads and plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGFα and thromboxane B2 were measured in uterine and peripheral venous blood obtained from 18 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Concentrations of 6-oxo-PGFα were significantly (p<0.01) higher in uterine (1.4 ± 0.3 ng/ml, mean ± SEM) than in peripheral vein blood (0.2 ±0.1 ng/ml) as was the level of thromboxane B2 (0.5 + 0.1 and 0.2 ± 0.1 ng/ml, respectively). Platelet retention in uterine vein blood (11 ± 4%) was significantly lower than in peripheral blood (42 ±4%; p<0.01) and the degree of platelet retention correlated inversely with the plasma concentration of 6-oxo-PGFα (r −0.43; p<0.01). There was a significant rank correlation between time since menstruation and concentrations of 6-oxo-PGFα in uterine (τ + 0.69; p<0.001) and peripheral (τ + 0.56; p<0.05) vein blood. The results indicate that an increased local production of prostacyclin (PGI2) relative to thromboxane A2 at the time of menstruation could contribute to the mechanism of uterine bleeding.