| Paracrine and autocrine functions of the placenta: a key to the success of viviparity? | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 7995348 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The evolution of specific nuclear transcriptional regulators has endowed tissues of the reproductive system with responsiveness to small hydrophobic compounds such as steroids. Steroids are widely distributed in Nature and their distribution in prokaryotes and eukaryotes has given rise to the concept that their hormonal role came about by target organ specialization and not by the evolution of steroids themselves. Specific nuclear receptors for progesterone in the uterus are prominent during the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Anti-progesterone antagonists which interfere with receptor-mediated DNA activation abrogate pregnancy and thus emphasize the functional importance of the pathways by which the effects of progesterone as an extracellular signal are transduced. Comparative studies show that progesterone itself can be ovarian or placental in origin. This seems to reflect the evolution of different mechanisms of endocrine function rather than any obvious selective advantage being associated with the source of hormone secretion. For this reason, the question of whether the endocrine function of the placenta is obligatory for the adoption of viviparity in mammals is far from certain, and should be considered as an evolutionary option rather than a sine qua non. Of growing importance is the idea that the interaction between trophoblast and endometrial cells controls the degree of invasiveness at implantation and immunoreactivity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) |
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Authors:
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R B Heap |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Experimental and clinical endocrinology Volume: 102 ISSN: 0232-7384 ISO Abbreviation: Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Publication Date: 1994 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1995-01-17 Completed Date: 1995-01-17 Revised Date: 2005-11-16 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8302802 Medline TA: Exp Clin Endocrinol Country: GERMANY |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 262-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Babraham Institute, Cambridge, U.K. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Chordata, Nonvertebrate / physiology* Evolution* Female Hormones / physiology* Humans Invertebrates / physiology* Placenta / physiology* Pregnancy Reproduction / physiology* |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Hormones |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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