Changes in the concentration of prostaglandins in preovulatory human follicles after administration of hCG

keto PGE were measured in follicular fluid collected from women undergoing routine laparoscopy following induction of follicular development with clomiphene and hCG. Laparoscopy was performed before, or at 12, 24 or 36 h after administration of hCG. Prostaglandins were measured as the methyloxime derivative by radioimmunoassay. Peaks in PGE and PGF-2\g=a\concentration occurred at 12 and 36 h with a significant nadir at 24 h, whereas PGD-2 production was very low at 36 h. The concentration of PGF-2\g=a\rose significantly between 0 and 36 h and was greatest in follicles yielding oocytes, suggesting a possible role for this prostaglandin in the mechanism of follicle rupture