Universitäts-Frauenklinik II Freiburg.
Prostaglandins and lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (Eicosanoids) are crucial paracrine regulators of labor. There are many informations about in vitro production and the physiological or pathophysiological role and clinical importance of these substances. However, the all decisive mechanism of the involvement of eicosanoids in birth process is still unknown. In this review we describe the present knowledge about endocrine, paracrine and autocrine regulations of uterine contractions.