Table Of ContentPROSTAGLANDIN
ABSTRACTS
A Guide to the Literature
Volume 1: m06-m70
PROSTAGLANDIN
ABSTRACTS
A Guide to the Literature
Volume 1: 1906 -1970
Richard M. Sparks
Population Information Program
Department of Medical and Public Affairs
Science Communication Division
The George Washington University Medical Center
Washington, D. C.
IFIIPLENUM· NEW YORK-WASHINGTON-LONDON
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Sparks, Richard M
Prostaglandin abstracts.
Abstracts prepared by authors of articles or members of the Science Communication
Division staff, George Washington University Medical Center.
CONTENTS: v. 1. 1906-1970.
1. Prostaglandin-Abstracts. 2. Prostaglandin-Bibliography. I. George Washington
University, Washington, D.C. Medical Center. Science Communication Division. II.
Title. [DNLM: 1. Prostaglandins-Abstracts. ZQU90 S736p)
QPS01.P6SS65 574.1'9247 73-217S0
ISBN 978-1-4684-6155-8
ISBN 978-1-4684-6155-8 ISBN 978-1-4684-6153-4 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4684-6153-4
The preparation of this volume was supported by the United States Agency for
International Development through contracts with the Worcester Foundation
for Experimental Biology and the George Washington University.
Softcover reprint of the hardcover 15t edition 1970
IFI/Plenum Data Corporation is a subsidiary of
Plenum Publishing Corporation
227 West 17th Street, New York, N. Y. 10011
United Kingdom edition published by Plenum Press, London
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All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written
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CONTENTS
Ack nowledgements VII
Foreword ..... . ix
Explanatory Note . xi
Abstracts ...
Subject Index 441
Author Index 451
Journal Index 469
Appendix .. 475
I. Directory of Prostaglandins Research 477
II. Secondary Sources of Information in Prostaglandin Research 483
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The editor wishes to thank the many organizations and individuals who have contributed to the success
of this project, especially the Upjohn Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Drs. J. R. Weeks, J. C.
Babcock, G. E. Underwood and the late Dr. L. E. Rhuland; the Worcester Foundation for Experimental
Biology of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Ms. Julia Lobotsky and Ms. Gerry Seward; and staff personnel
who prepared and edited much of the material in this volume, James R. Heath III and Nancy E.
Stillerman.
VII
FOREWORD
This volume contains abstracts of most of the significant scientific literature dealing with prostaglandins
published between 1906~when certain biologically active tissue extracts first stimulated the speculation
of researchers~and 1970~when the use of prostaglandins for experimental control of fertility and
induction of labor had been reported from six countries. Of the more than 4000 articles now identified
which were published between 1906 and 1972, approximately half had appeared in print by the end of
1970. A second volume will cover the material printed in 1971 and 1972 with special emphasis on the
role of prostaglandins in reproductive physiology.
The reasons for publishing this considerable compilation of data are twofold. On the one hand, prosta·
glandins, a family of fatty acid derivatives first identified in human semen, have been shown to have great
and varied effects on all aspects of human physiology due to activity at the cellular level as mediators in
the formation of cyclic AMP. The study of prostaglandins is considered today one of the most promising
fields in the biological sciences.
Secondly, as is now recognized, prostaglandins play an important role in reproduction, influencing both
male and female fertility. It is hoped that this volume will make the results of early prostaglandin
research available to investigators throughout the world, including especially those in developing coun·
tries who may not have easy access to such material.
At a time of increasing world concern over rapid population growth and excess or unwanted pregnancies,
researchers throughout the world are seeking new or improved methods for the voluntary control of
fertility. Prostaglandins hold great promise in this field, and have already been used clinically in 15
countries to induce menstruation, or terminate first and second trimester pregnancies. So far, side effects
such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have limited the usefulness of the presently available prosta·
glandin compounds and/or delivery systems under most circumstances.
But the search for better means of birth control continues. It seems likely that prostaglandins, which are
the natural mediators of reproductive functions, or some new prostaglandin analogs administered in the
form of a medicated vaginal tampon, intrauterine injection, or possibly in combination with other drugs
will eventually play an important role in fertility control.
At the time of this writing, the United States Food and Drug Administration is expected to license
prostaglandin F2c< for sale In the United States within the next two months for use in the termination of
second trimester pregnancy. The Upjohn Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan hopes to begin marketing
immediately.
The Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development, has supported applied
research in prostaglandins with special reference to use in developing countries. USAID seeks specifically
to identify or improve present birth control technologies so that they can be effectively and con·
veniently used by men and women in developing countries. This volume is designed above all to assist
researchers in the developed and developing countries who share th is objective. We hope that th is
increase in the availability of scientific information about prostaglandins will hasten the day when what
the United Nations has called "the basic right of every person to determine the number and spacing of
their offspring" is not only a basic human right but also a genuine reality throughout the world.
November 1, 1973 R. T. Ravenholt, M.D., M.P.H.
Director
J. Joseph Speidel, M.D., M.P.H.
Chief, Research Division
Office of Population
United States Agency for I nternational Development
ix
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Every citation in this bibliography was verified with a copy on file in the
library of the Population I nformation Program of the George Washington
University Medical Center. If a satisfactory author's or prepared abstract
accompanied the article, it was used and credit was given. Otherwise, ab
stracts were prepared by members of the Science Communication Division
staff. Those individuals, identified by their initials at the end of the abstracts
are: Frank D. Bradley, Mary Ellen Hashmall, James R. Health III, John W.
Johnston, Irvin C. Mohler, R. Allen Pierce, Paul Richmond, CharlesW. Shil
ling, Richard M. Sparks, Nancy E. Stillerman, George Wolfhard, Michael
Towers, and Arthur R. Turner. If a prepared abstract was used, but the
format was changed without alteration of the content regarding prostaglan
dins, it has been identified as "Author modified." If no informative abstract
accompanied the article, and none could be prepared, as, for instance, when
a translation could not be readily obtained, the citation has been included
without an abstract.
Since this bibliography is a guide to the literature, citations and abstracts
have been prepared for all the types of literature-journal articles, reviews,
books, book chapters, newspaper articles, abstracts, symposia-in which
prostaglandins have been discussed. In the preparation of abstracts, however,
primary consideration has been given to the research significance of the
article, that is to the amount of new information contained in it. For ex
ample, most editorials and reviews are not abstracted in detail because the
scientific information upon which they were based is not new or fully pro
vided in the article. Furthermore, the original research is also included in this
bibliography and can be readily identified through the subject and author
indexes.
Citations are grouped chronologically and alphabetically by the surname of
the senior author. Editorials, notes, and materials with no author indicated
are listed under Anonymous, alphabetically by title:
XI
0001
JAPPELLI, G. and G.M. SCAFA
Sur les effets des injections intraveineuses d'extralt prostatique du chien. [On the effects of intra
venous injections of dog prostate extract.]
Archivio Italiano di Biologia 45: 165-189.1906.
An extract of dog prostate was injected intravenously into dogs and rabbits, and some general effects
were noted. When injected intravascularly into the dog, the extract showed a high level of toxicity;
there was a paralysing effect on the central respiratory system and a definite influence on heart beat
and amplitude. Effects on the blood were also noted; in the dog there was an anticoagulative effect
and a coagulative one in the rabbit. It is suggested that all of these are due to a nucleo-protein present
in the prostate extract (N ES) 0015
0002
THAON, P.
Toxiclte des extralts de prostate; leur action sur la pression arterlelle et Ie rythme cardiaque. [Toxic
Ity of prostate extracts; their action on arterial pressure and cardiac rhythm.]
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales. 63: 111-112. 1907.
Rabbits were Injected intravenously with a saline preparation of bull prostate gland. 5-10 sec after
administration, arterial pressure rose steadily 2 to 3 centimeters for 30 to 40 sec. This was followed
by a severe tOXIC effect which caused a fall in pressure below the original level and eventual death of
the animal. No Intracardial coagulations or pulmonary Infarctions were found during autopsy. The
fall in pressure was not thought to be a hypotensive effect, but due to the extreme toxicity of the
substance. It is questioned whether the release of the substance in the blood could cause some of the
effects associated with prostate problems. Experiments using distilled water preparations of bull
prostates are also mentioned. These seemed to have more effect on arterial pressure than the saline
preparations. (N ES) 0019
0003
DUBOIS, C. and L. BOULET
Action des extra its de prostate sur les mouvements de I'intestin. [Action of prostate extracts on
intestinal movement.]
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologle et de ses Filiales. 71 : 536-537. 1911.
In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to test the reaction of dog, cat, rabbit and sheep
intestinal strips (duodenum, jejumum, ileum or rectum) to extracts from the prostate gland. Aqueous
and glycerine preparations were made using tissue from dog, bull and ram prostates. The intestinal
strips were dipped Into 2 test tubes, one containing 200 cc of a normal nutritive serum and another
containing 200 c.c. of the serum plus the prostate extract (the quantity of the extract varied from
0.25g-5g). The 2 test tubes were kept at a constant temperature of 38-39°C. The strips dipped in the
prostate preparations were partially or completely inhibited (6 cases). There was also a lessening in
tonus. Experiments were also carried out on the intestine in situ. 5g were injected into the saphenous
vein, a reduction was noted in 3 out of 4 cases. Similar In vitro experiments were performed using
extracts (aqueous and glycerine) from testicle, spleen, muscle and liver; however, the results were
contradictory. It is suggested that the inhibiting effect of the prostate extract is due to an internal
secretion of the gland. (NES) 0020
2
0004
BATTEZ, G., and L. BOULET
Action de I'extrait de prostate humaine sur la vessie et sur la pression arterielle. [Action of human
prostate extract on the vascular system and arterial pressure.]
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales. 44: 8·9. 1913.
The action of human prostate extract on the dog vascular system was compared to prior experiments
using dog prostate extract. A dog was injected in the saphenous vein with 12.5 cg/kg of the extract.
V iolent contractions of the vessels lasting 25 sec were seen 26 sec after the Injection. A definite
hypotensive effect was also noted. However, a second injection had less effect. It is concluded that
human and dog prostate have the same mode of action. (NES) 0023
0005
DUBOIS, C. and L. BOULET
Action des extra its de prostate hypertrophiee sur la vessie. [Actions of extracts from hypertrophied
prostate on the vascular system.]
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales. 82: 1054-1055. 1919.
8 dogs, anesthetized with either curarine or chloralose, were injected intravenously with extract (20cg
- 1 g/kg/dog) from a hypertrophied human prostate gland. In 3 cases, there was a small to large
constriction of the vessels and a fall in arterial pressure. In 5, the pressure was equally lowered, but
there was less contraction. It is also noted that after removal of tumor from the prostate, that the
function of the prostate returned to normal and that the unknown vascular hormone is present which
maintains contractility. (NES) 0048
0006
KURZROK, R. and C.C. LlEB
Biochemical studies of human semen. II. The action of semen on the human uterus.
Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 28: 268-272. 1930.
Human seminal fluid was added to organ baths containing strips of human uterine muscle. A given
uterine strip would relax in response to one semen sample and contract in response to a sample from
a different man. However, a semen sample could cause relaxation in a strip from one uterus and
simultaneously contract a strip from a different uterus. The uteri from fertile women responded to
semen by relaxing, while uteri from women with a history of sterility responded by contracting. The
active principle in semen was dializable and did not require the presence of sperm to be active. (JRH)
0065
0007
von EULER, U.S.
An adrenaline-like action in extracts from the prostatic and related glands.
Journal of Physiology. 81: 102-112. 1934.
Two biologically active substances were isolated from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles of
several mammalian species. One of these resembled epinephrine in biological activity and chemical
properties. The other showed vasodilator and smooth muscle stimulating properties. (JRH) 0001
3
0008
COCKRILL, J.R., E.G. MILLER, Jr., and R. KURZROK
The substance in human seminal fluid affecting uterine muscle.
American Journal of Physiology. 122: 577-580.1935.
Semen samples collected from 75 men were tested on human myometrial strips from over 400 uteri.
Samples from 65 of the men caused relaxation to the uterus while the others caused contractions.
Mild alkali treatment of contracting semen caused it to relax the uterus. Strong alkali (pH 11 or
higher) inactivated it completely as did boiling. Treatment of boiled semen with acetyl chloride
restored its activity. Esterase diminished the activity of the semen. Physostigmine enhanced the effect
of semen on uterine muscle. Pretreatment of the muscle with atropine completely blocked the effect
of the semen on the uterine strips. Because of these properties and because they could be duplicated
by acetylcholine, the authors conclude that the active principle in seminal fluid is acetylcholine or
something closely related to It. (JRH) 0052
0009
von EULER, U.S.
A depressor substance in the vesicular gland.
Journal of Physiology. 84: 21P-22P. 1935.
The relationship of vesiglandin, isolated from monkey seminal vesicles; substance P, isolated from the
brain and small intestine; and the vasodepressor extracted from human seminal fluid and seminal
vesicle secretion is discussed. It is suggested that the human seminal fluid depressor might be a
mixture of vesiglandin and substance P. (JRH) 0003
0010
GOLDBLATT, M.W.
Properties of human seminal plasma.
Journal of Physiology. 84: 208-218. 1935.
Both human seminal plasma and absolute alcohol (or acetone) extracts of seminal plasma i v caused a
strong reduction in blood pressure in anesthetized (ether or urethane) or pithed cats and rabbits both
with and without atropine. The active principle was destroyed by boiling with alkali but not nitrous
acid. By other assays and tests, it was shown that the active principle was not histamine or choline. It
was not possible to determine if the active substance came from the seminal vesicle or prostate gland.
(JRH) 0002
0011
von EULER, U.S.
On the specific vaso-dilating and plain muscle stimulating substances from accessory genital glands in
man and certain animals (prostaglandin and vesiglandin).
Journal of Physiology. 88: 213-234. 1936.
The chemical and biological properties of prostaglandin were investigated. Prostaglandin is soluble in
water, alcohol, acetone, and under certain conditions, ether and chloroform. It is destroyed by very
low pH (less than pH 1) and was unstable at pH values greater than 7. Biologically, it is a powerful
vasodilator and hypotensive agent and a stimulator of intestinal muscle. PG generally enhances
uterine activity and its biological effects are not blocked by atropine. (JRH) 0053
