[Effect of yellow daphne on levels of plasma and decidual estradiol, prostaglandins, progesterone and its receptor in early pregnancy].

The changes of plasma concentration of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and prostaglandins (PG) and decidual level of prostaglandins and progesterone receptor (PR) after injection of Yellow Daphne for induction of abortion were observed. The results showed that the treatment with Yellow Daphne could induce degeneration and necrosis of decidual tissues as well as increase of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha concentration with lowering of PR level in the tissue. On the other hand, plasma level of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha remained unchanged and the levels of E2 and P declined. The data suggested that the contragestive mechanism of Yellow Daphne was mainly the involvement of decidual degeneration and the release of PG thus interfered the intrauterine environment for maintenance of pregnancy which subsequently led to abortion.