The role of gestational tissue type II phospholipase A₂ in human labor and delivery

The data presented in this study significantly advance our understanding of the PLA₂ activities present in human term gestation tissues. It is now clearly established that a secreted, extracellularly active PLA₂ enzyme represents quantitatively a major component of the previously reported in vitro net PLA₂ enzymatic activity. This enzyme is likely therefore to play a significant role in the phospholipid metabolism and eicosanoid formation that occurs in gestational tissue during pregnancy and especially at the time of labor. Much of the available previously published data on the role of PLA₂ in human parturition is inadequate and a reappraisal of this enzyme's contribution to the biochemical events associated with human pregnancy and labor is required.