PROSTAGLANDINS (PGS) -

• Because they were first found in semen (which is produced partly by the prostate gland), they were named prostaglandins.
• Prostaglandins are derived, from unsaturated fatty acids.
• Prostaglandins of seminal vesicles mix with semen. When semen is ejected, into the female's vagina prostagladins contract uterine muscles to facilitate ascending of sperms into the Fallopian tubes.
• Synthetic prostaglandins are now used for birth control, for inducing labour pains, abortion, cure of asthrna, etc.
• Although the prostaglandins behave like hormones and have been called "tissue hormones" yet they do not meet the requirements of true hormones for two reasons.
• First they are not produced by distinct glands. Second, they are metabolized so rapidly after they are released that they cannot travel in the blood for any significant' distance. Thus prostaglandins appear to be, a unique class of regulators.