We investigated the effect of the prostaglandin D2 metabolite delta 12-PGJ2 (9-Deoxy-delta 9, delta 12-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin 2D) on collagen synthesis in human osteoblasts. delta 12-PGJ2 at 10(-5) M enhanced collagen synthesis in the presence of 2 mM alpha-glycerophosphate-2Na. The stimulative effect appeared as early as 3 days after addition and continued until 22 days. The enhancement of type I collagen synthesis was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The potency was the same as 10(-8) M 1 alpha, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). Northern blot analysis showed that 10(-5) M delta 12-PGJ2 and 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3 enhanced the transcription of type I procollagen (alpha 1) mRNA levels in osteoblasts.