Endocrine Abstracts

Intrauterine infection, a common antecedent of premature birth, leads to increased levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the amniotic fluid. IL-1 in amniotic fluid and cord blood is a risk factor for the postnatal development of chronic lung disease. On the other hand, intrauterine inflammation may protect the preterm newborn from respiratory distress syndrome. A single intra-amniotic injection of IL-1 given to fetal animals increases surfactant protein synthesis and surfactant po...

Fetal stress, including inadequate nutrient supply and cessation of fetal growth, are major stimuli to the onset of parturition which acts to promote maturation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. These adaptations, together with rapid removal of lung liquid fluid and onset of endogenous heat production at birth, ensure oxygen supply is adequate and hypothermia prevented. A critical component of fetal organ maturation in preparation for life after birth is mitochondrial develo...

Thyroid hormones are known to be important for optimal development of the human central nervous system. Classically, maternal thyroid hormones have not been thought to play a major role in defining central nervous system development. However, recent epidemiological evidence has indicated that subtle deficiencies in circulating maternal thyroid hormones in the first trimester of pregnancy are associated with adverse neurodevelopment.We have used real-tim...

Prolactin (PRL) exerts pleiotropic physiological effects in various cells and tissues, and is mainly considered as a regulator of reproduction and cell growth. Null mutation of the PRL receptor (R) gene leads to female sterility due to a complete failure of embryo implantation. Pre-implantatory egg development, implantation and decidualization in the mouse appear to be dependent on ovarian rather than uterine PRLR expression, since progesterone replacement permits the rescue o...