Prostaglandin forming cyclooxygenase was quantified using an oxygen-uptake assay in five tissues during the last trimester in pregnant rabbits. At Day 20 of pregnancy cyclooxygenase activity was sevenfold greater in the placenta (147 to 204 U/g) than in the amnion, splanchnopleure, decidua, or uterus. Cyclooxygenase activity increased during gestation (P<0.03); the major change in activity occurred in the amnion (from 6 U/g at 20 days to 228 U/g on Day 30; P<0.01). These observations support the idea that prostaglandin synthesis increases near the time of parturition.
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Noden et al. (1981) studied this question.