Effect of bacterial products on prostaglandin E production by amnion cells.

An in-vitro model was set up to study a possible causal relation between bacterial colonisation of extraplacental membranes and spontaneous preterm labour. When amnion cells in tissue culture were exposed to bacterial products, their prostaglandin E output rose considerably. The degree of response varied with the organism. These findings support the theory that bacterial products may be responsible for the premature onset of labour.