“Natural” abortion

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32528, 11 February 1971, Page 7

“Natural” abortion

(N.Z. Prett Sttoeialion) AUCKLAND, Feb. 10. “Natural” abortion may become a medical possibility with the discovery of a substance known as prostaglandins. The substance, a fat-like acid, is found in highly concentrated amounts in pregnant women at the time of labour. The acid, known as "lipid” in medical jargon, meaning a fatty substance that is insoluble in water, can be used to end pregnancies without the usual painful after-effects of present abortiontechniques.

It may also be used to aid labour. The use of prostaglandins can make contracttions more regular in the case of difficult births. Professor D. P. Boshier, associate-professor in reproductive biology at the Auckland School of Medicine, said prostaglandins was one of the most significant developments to come out of the international endocrinology conference in Auckland last week. The substance (it is not a »was already under at the National Women’s Hospital in Auckland, he said. “The biggest advantage of prostaglandins," Professor Boshier said, "is that it ter-

minates pregnancy physiologically." The simple compound’s natural function is to control the cyclic activity of the women’s ovaries. When it switches itself off, menstruation occurs. Prostaglandins are found large quantities in the amniotic fluid surrounding the unborn baby, and also in the uterus when labour pains begin. - Apart from the implications for ending pregnancies, the study of prostaglandins is also helping reproductive experts to understand exactly what goes on during labour. An American researcher, Dr J. A. McCracken, is largely responsible for groundwork on the substance.