Surfactant Protein-A (SP-A) Selectively Inhibits Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) Production in Term Decidua: Implications for the Onset of Labor

Abstract

SP-A is produced by human endometrium/decidua, where it significantly and selectively inhibits PGF(2α) production. Its expression decreases with labor. These novel observations suggest that decidual SP-A likely plays a critical role in regulating prostaglandin production within the uterus, culminating at term in decidual activation and the onset of labor.