Reproduction: role of COX-2 and its inhibition

In: COX-2 Inhibitors · 2004 · pp. 213–225 · doi:10.1007/978-3-0348-7879-1_10 · W2210057658
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This review discusses the physiological significance of COX-2 and prostaglandins in human reproduction and examines the implications of COX-2 inhibition for tocolysis.

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This paper is a narrative review examining the physiological roles of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and downstream prostaglandins in multiple human reproductive processes, including menstruation, ovulation, blastocyst implantation, and term or preterm labor, with particular attention to implications of COX-2 inhibition. It synthesizes evidence from diverse studies, including expression data and animal genetic models (e.g., COX-2-deficient mice with female reproductive failures) and reports on the effects of COX inhibitors on reproductive outcomes. A key finding is that COX-2–linked prostaglandin signaling is repeatedly associated with critical reproductive events and that COX inhibition (in contexts discussed as “tocolysis”) has potential reproductive consequences, including effects on labor-related pathways. The paper’s main limitation is that it is a review rather than original experimental work, and it explicitly frames its conclusions around the accumulated literature across models and settings. Relevance to endometriosis: it cites prior work localizing prostaglandin H synthase in the female reproductive tract including endometriosis, though the paper’s main focus is COX-2 and prostaglandins in reproduction and the implications of COX-2 inhibition for tocolysis.

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Abstract

Prostaglandins play a key role in human reproduction. There is increasing evidence to support their involvement, not only in the processes of term and preterm labor, but also in menstruation, ovulation and blastocyst implantation. Our aim is to review the physiological significance of COX-2 and prostaglandins in reproduction, and to discuss the implications of COX-2 inhibition with regard to tocolysis.
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Abstract

Prostaglandins play a key role in human reproduction. There is increasing evidence to support their involvement, not only in the processes of term and preterm labor, but also in menstruation, ovulation and blastocyst implantation. Our aim is to review the physiological significance of COX-2 and prostaglandins in reproduction, and to discuss the implications of COX-2 inhibition with regard to tocolysis. Preview Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Br J Obstet Gynecol 108: 325–326 Poore KR, Young IR, Hirst JJ (1999) Efficacy of the selective prostaglandin synthase type 2 inhibitor nimesulide in blocking basal prostaglandin production and delaying glucocorticoidinduced premature labor in sheep. Am J Obstet Gynecol 180: 1244–1253 Stika CS, Gross GA, Laguizamon G, Gerber S, Levy R, Mathur A, Bernhard LM, Nelson DM, Sadovsky Y (2002) A prospective randomised safety trial of celecoxib for treatment of preterm labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 187: 653–660 Author information Authors and Affiliations Editor information Editors and Affiliations Rights and permissions Copyright information © 2004 Springer Basel AG About this chapter Cite this chapter Mohan, A.R., Bennett, P.R. (2004). Reproduction: role of COX-2 and its inhibition. In: Pairet, M., van Ryn, J. (eds) COX-2 Inhibitors. Milestones in Drug Therapy MDT. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7879-1_10 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7879-1_10 Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Basel Print ISBN: 978-3-0348-9607-8 Online ISBN: 978-3-0348-7879-1 eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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