Reproduction - pregnancy Flashcards
Endocrine function of syncytiotrophoblasts
hCG and hPL
hCG
- human chorionic gonadotropin (binds to LH receptors on corpus luteum; keeps it viable)
- what pregnancy tests detect in urine
- rapid rise in HCG causes morning sickness
- hCG stimulates leydig cells and adrenal cortex in fetus
- has negative fxn on HPG axis
hPL
Human placental lactogen
Similar to GH and prolactin
GH-like : counterregulatory to insulin (lipolytic), mobilizes glucose for fetal use, stimulates IGF-I in fetus
Prolactin-like
Stimulates mammary gland development in mother
Pregnancy is a (hormone) resistant state?
Insulin
hPL effects on maternal glucose handling
hPL can be found in higher levels in maternal than fetal circulation; not essential for maintaining pregnancy so it is more important in mother than fetus. It is anti-insulin and helps mobilize glucose and other nutrients from mother to fetus
What two steroid hormones produced by the placenta help reduce insulin sensitivity in mother
Estrogen and progesterone
Gestational diabetes
Caused by anti-insulin effects of hPL, progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol
Usually resolves at end of pregnancy, but seems to be a risk factor for T2DM
At risk most: Women >25, family history of diabetes, and T2DM
When fully formed, what are the functions of the placenta (4)
Gut (supplies nutrients ; occurs by diffusion/facilitated diffusion)
Lung (gas exchange – helped by fetal hemoglobin)
kidney (regulating fluid volume and waste disposal)
endocrine gland (hPL, estrogen, progesterone, hCG)
Functions to remove waste products such as urea, creatinine, and co2.
Provides a semi-protective barrier
Why is the placenta an imperfect endocrine gland
it lacks critical enzymes to complete many steps in steroid hormone biosythesis; protects fetus from steroids from mother like cortisol and high gonadal steroid hormone levels.
What can the placenta NOT do?
Synthesize cholesterol (relies on maternal LDL, does NOT use StAR to get cholesterol)
Convert progesterone into other steroids (no CYP17) –> progesterone is made into androgens and other steroids by fetus
Cannot make estriol - fetal LIVER makes an enzyme (CYP3A7) to convert DHEAS which can be downstream converted into estriol, which is the main circulating estrogen during pregnancy
What part of the fetus makes estriol
fetal liver - uses CP3A7 converts DHEAS to 16-hydroxyl DHEAS - this is downstream converted into estriol by placenta (E3) which is the main circulating estrogen in pregnancy
What “hypothalamic” releasing hormone is released by placenta
CRH – this release will increase with gestational age and has been inked to gestational length
Does fetal pituitary secrete ACTH?
Yes – but it does NOT have a negative feedback effect – instead it stimulates more CRH release in a positive feedback amplification release.
What are the 3 zones of the fetal adrenal gland?
Definitive zone, transitional zone, and fetal zone
definitive zone of fetal medulla
becomes zona glomerulosa, begins making aldosterone near birth
transitional zone in fetal adrenal gland
becomes zona fasiculata and begins making cortisol at about 6 months gestation