Production of epoxygenase metabolite by human reproductive tissues.

Human amnion, trophoblast and umbilical vein endothelial cells synthesise an arachidonic acid metabolite which is neither a lipoxygenase nor a cyclo-oxygenase product. It is sensitive to stimulants and inhibitors of the cytochrome-P450-dependent epoxygenase system and co-migrates on HPLC with 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), which is an epoxygenase product. The function of 14,15-EET in these reproductive tissues is unknown, but it may be involved in the maintenance of vascular function.