Endocrine Abstracts

Throughout pregnancy, the placenta controls the metabolism of the mother for the benefit of the foetus, sometimes to such an extent that in humans the mother's health is compromised. As there are no neural connections, the main means by which the placenta controls the mother's metabolism must be endocrine in nature. Unfortunately the foetal blood that perfuses the placental/uterine boundary cells to carry oxygen and nutrients back to the foetus will also collect the very hormo...

Phil Lowry, School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK AbstractProfessor Phil Lowry is best known for his research on pituitary hormones, corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) and the involvement of neuropeptides in pre-eclampsia. A peptide biochemist by training, his preparations of purified corticotrophin (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) became standards of the World Health Organisation...