Prostaglandin catabolism in the bovine placenta.

Catabolism of PGF2 alpha and 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity was measured in fetal and maternal placentae of nine dairy cows during spontaneous calving at term. Prostaglandin catabolism in the bovine placenta was much lower than that noted with the same methodology in the placenta of other species, such as man, sheep and guinea pig. Prostaglandin catabolism was located mainly in the maternal caruncle, with little catabolism and very low 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity being detected in the fetal cotyledon. There was no evidence for inhibition of 15-hydroxy-prostaglandin dehydrogenase in or by the fetal cotyledon.