Prostaglandin synthesis by rat uterine homogenates in the presence of copper ions, and the effects of indomethacin and salicylic acid.

While no significant effects on the in vitro production of PGF2 alpha by homogenates of rat estrous uteri were observed in the presence of 10(-3) and 10(-6) M Cu2+, the presence of Cu2+ at 10(-4) and 10(-5) M was found to stimulate production with maximal synthesis of PGF2 alpha occurring with 10(-4) M Cu2+. By contrast, the synthesis of PGE2 and PGI2 (determined as 6-keto PGF1 alpha) were unaffected at all of the different Cu2+ concentration used. When indomethacin and salicylic acid were tested for their effects on the Cu2+-mediated levels of PG synthesis by the homogenates, indomethacin (at 20 microM) was found to cause similar pronounced decreases in PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha whereas salicylic acid (400 microM) showed preference towards suppressing PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1 alpha production.