Lacroix Marie-Christine, Guibourdenche Jean, Frendo Jean-Louis, Pidoux Guillaume, Evain-Brion Danièle
INSERM U427, Université René Descartes, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Paris, France.
Endocrine. 2002 Oct;19(1):73-9. doi: 10.1385/ENDO:19:1:73.
Survival and development of the mammalian conceptus depends on a variety of factors. Fetal growth is controlled by genetic and environmental determinants that may limit the mother's capacity to provide an appropriate environment (e.g., space, nutrients, temperature). Exchanges between the mother and fetus take place within the placenta. Interestingly, despite the diversity of mammalian species in terms of placental structure and hormonal functions, placental size at term always correlates with birth weight, reflecting the essential role of this temporary organ. The placenta is the site of major endocrine activity, including synthesis of a broad range of steroid and peptide hormones, growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive factors. Some of these are produced exclusively by the placenta, including chorionic gonadotropin, and growth hormone (GH)/prolactin-like hormones. This article focuses on the expression, regulation, and physiologic role of placental GHs in mammalian species. Published data suggest that placental GHs are essential for adapting the maternal metabolism to pregnancy, for normal placental development, and therefore for fetal growth.
哺乳动物胚胎的存活与发育取决于多种因素。胎儿生长受遗传和环境因素控制，这些因素可能会限制母体提供适宜环境（如空间、营养、温度）的能力。母体与胎儿之间的物质交换在胎盘内进行。有趣的是，尽管哺乳动物物种在胎盘结构和激素功能方面存在差异，但足月时胎盘大小始终与出生体重相关，这反映了这个临时器官的重要作用。胎盘是主要内分泌活动的场所，包括合成多种类固醇和肽类激素、生长因子、细胞因子及其他生物活性因子。其中一些仅由胎盘产生，包括绒毛膜促性腺激素以及生长激素（GH）/催乳素样激素。本文重点探讨胎盘生长激素在哺乳动物物种中的表达、调控及生理作用。已发表的数据表明，胎盘生长激素对于使母体代谢适应妊娠、促进胎盘正常发育进而保障胎儿生长至关重要。
