[Expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor type-1 in the placental cotyledon vessels].

OBJECTIVE

To study the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) and its receptor type-1 in the placental cotyledon vessels at term.

METHODS

IHC-SP staining and ISH methods were used to investigate the expression patterns of CRH and its receptor CRH-R1 in the placental cotyledon vessels at term from women who had undergone uncomplicated pregnancies. Placental tissues were collected after cesarian section before threatened labor.

RESULTS

This study revealed for the first time that endothelial cells and even smooth muscle cells of the cotyledon vessel expressed CRH messenger ribonucleic acid and peptide as well as the CRH-R1.

CONCLUSION

The novel findings disclosed that the CRH derived from endothelial cells and even smooth muscle cells of the cotyledon vessel may represent the main source of CRH levels in fetal plasma, thus indicating the capability of mobilizing the compensation mechanism for adapting to the acute stress.