The concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2 alpha and prostaglandin E2 in peritoneal fluid of infertile patients with and without endometriosis

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) metabolite (13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were assayed in the cul-de-sac fluid aspirated from 15 patients with endometriosis, in saline peritoneal washings of 5 patients with unexplained infertility, and in 5 control subjects. The fluid from the cul-de-sac of patients with endometriosis showed wide variations in the concentrations of PGF2 alpha metabolite and PGE2. There was no correlation between the concentration of these prostaglandins (PGs) and the stage of the cycle. Saline peritoneal washings from patients with unexplained infertility had significantly higher concentrations of PGF2 alpha metabolite than the control subjects. The concentration of PGE2 in the saline peritoneal washings was higher in the group with unexplained infertility than in the control group; however, the difference was not significant. The concentration of PGF2 alpha metabolite and PGE2 in the peritoneal saline washings from patients with unexplained infertility were no different from the concentrations of these PGs in the peritoneal fluid (PF) from patients with endometriosis. PG concentration in PF of infertile patients with or without endometriosis is a new variable for evaluation in these patients.