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Placenta Endocrine Function - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 17:30, 29 June 2012
, 17:30, 29 June 2012no edit summary
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The Placenta is a hugely important endocrine organ, producing many [[Hormones - Anatomy & Physiology|hormones]] which affect the status of pregnancy and the maternal physiology.
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
|+ ''Hormones of the Placenta''
!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 - Anatomy & Physiology|pituitary gland]].
|-
|Placental Lactogen
|This is related to [[Lactation - Endocrine Control - Anatomy & Physiology|Prolactin]] and [[Pituitary Growth Hormone - Anatomy & Physiology|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 - Anatomy & Physiology|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 - Anatomy & Physiology|Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy]] in primates.
|}
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[[Category:Endocrine System - Anatomy & Physiology]][[Category:Pregnancy and Parturition]]