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| A PLACENTAL CLOCK CONTROLLING THE LENGTH OF HUMAN-PREGNANCY |
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| Author(s): MCLEAN M, BISITS A, DAVIES J, WOODS R, LOWRY P, SMITH R |
| Source: NATURE MEDICINE Volume: 1 Issue: 5 Pages: 460-463 Published: MAY 1995 |
| Times Cited: 396 References: 31 |
| Abstract: We report the existence of a 'placental clock', which is active from an early stage in human pregnancy and determines the length of gestation and the timing of parturition and delivery. Using a prospective, longitudinal cohort study of 485 pregnant women we have demonstrated that placental secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a marker of this process and that measurement of the maternal plasma CRH concentration as early as 16-20 weeks of gestation identifies groups of women who ale destined to experience normal term, preterm or post-term delivery. Further, we report that the exponential rise in maternal plasma CRH concentrations with advancing pregnancy is associated with a concomitant fall in concentrations of the specific CRH binding protein in late pregnancy, leading to a rapid increase in circulating levels of bioavailable CRH at a time that coincides with the onset of parturition, suggesting that CRH may ad directly as a trigger for parturition in humans. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
Addresses:
1. JOHN HUNTER HOSP, MATERNAL HLTH RES CTR, NEWCASTLE, NSW 2310 AUSTRALIA
2. UNIV READING, SCH ANIM & MICROBIAL SCI, READING RG6 2AJ, BERKS ENGLAND |
| Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING CO, 345 PARK AVE SOUTH, NEW YORK, NY 10010-1707 |
| Subject Category: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Cell Biology; Medicine, Research & Experimental |
| IDS Number: RN100 |
| ISSN: 1078-8956 |
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