Pregnancy Endocrinology Flashcards
What major polypeptide hormones are produced by the placenta?
hCG
hPL
hPGH
What steroid hormones are produced by the placenta?
Estrogen
Progesterone
Detail the changes in E2, P, and PRL over the course of pregnancy.
Increase over time
What cell in the placenta is predominately responsible for steroid and protein production?
Syncytiotrophoblast
What circulation are most placental hormones secreted into?
Maternal circulation
When is hCG produced, by what cells?
8 days post fertilization
Cytotrophoblasts
Synctiotrophoblasts
What effect does hCG have on the corpus luteum?
Maintains corpus luteum
Corpus luteum produces progesterone until week 11 when the placenta takes over
What effect can hCG have on TSH?
Suppresses TSH
What effect can hCG have on thyroid function?
hCG has TSH activity at high levels
What is the most abundent secretory product of the placenta?
hPL
What cells secrete hPL?
Syncytiotrophoblasts
Is hPGH regulated by GHRH or somatostatin?
No
What effect does hPGH have on the mother?
Promotes insulin resistance
Why are statins contraindicated in pregnancy?
Cholesterol precursors for steroid synthesis are required
What is the role of progesterone during pregnancy?
Maintains uterine lining
Promotes decidua formation
Maintains uterine quiescence
What is the substrate used by the placenta to make progesterone?
LDL, vLDL
How is the fetus protected from high progesterone levels?
Lacks enzyme needed to convert pregnenolone to progesterone
What effect does progesterone have on a mother regarding cellular immunity?
Decreased
Improvement of autoimmune processes
Increased susceptibility to intracellular pathogens
What is the precursor for estrogens?
60% fetal DHEAS
40% maternal DHEAS
What effect does estrogen have on coagulability during pregnancy?
Hypercoagulable state
What is the leading cause of maternal death?
PE
What happens to total cortisol and TT4 levels during prengnancy?
Increase- E2 increases binding protein synthesis at the liver
A woman develops pancreatitis during pregnancy. The physician believes it is likely hormonaly related. What hormone is responsible?
Estrogen- increased TG synthesis
Why does the pituitary increase in pregnancy?
Estrogen stimulates lactotrophs
An increased pituitary is at risk of what complication?
Sheehan syndrome/postpartum hypopituitarism- ischemic necrosis of pituitary gland due to blood loss and hypovolemic shock during/after birth
What must occur to maternal estrogen levels in order for successful lactation to occur?
Estrogen must fall- decreased competetion with prolactin for prolactin receptor