Placenta Endocrine Function - Anatomy & Physiology
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The Placenta is a hugely important endocrine organ, producing many hormones which affect the status of pregnancy and the maternal physiology.
| Hormone | Production and Regulation | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Prostaglandin F2a | Produced towards the end of pregnancy in increasing amounts to allow for parturition. | Causes luteolysis and promotes uterine contractions. |
| Progesterone | The Placenta takes over Progesterone production from the Corpus Luteum to maintain the pregnancy. | Maintains the pregnancy by thickening the cervix, depressing the maternal immune response and preventing ovulation. It also promotes mammary growth. |
| Oestrogen | Oestrogen levels rise throughout pregnancy as the placenta grows. | Stimulate the growth of the myometrium, promote mammary development and suppress gonadotrophin release from the pituitary gland. |
| Placental Lactogen | This is related to Prolactin and Growth hormone, and is produced by the placenta and uterus. | Promotes growth and differentiation of mammary tissue. Identified in primates, ruminants and rodents. |
| Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) | This is produced by foetal trophoblast cells, and is actually the same molecule as equine LH. | Prevents luteal regression and is thus the signal for Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in equids. |
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | This is produced by foetal trophoblast cells. | Prevents luteal regression and is thus the signal for Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in primates. |