Fowden A L, Forhead A J, Sferruzzi-Perri A N, Burton G J, Vaughan O R
Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
Placenta. 2015 Apr;36 Suppl 1:S50-9. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2014.11.018. Epub 2014 Dec 3.
Hormones have an important role in regulating fetal development. They act as environmental signals and integrate tissue growth and differentiation with relation to nutrient availability. While hormones control the developmental fate of resources available to the fetus, the actual supply of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus depends on the placenta. However, much less is known about the role of hormones in regulating placental development, even though the placenta has a wide range of hormone receptors and produces hormones itself from early in gestation. The placenta is, therefore, exposed to hormones by autocrine, paracrine and endocrine mechanisms throughout its lifespan. It is known to adapt its phenotype in response to environmental cues and fetal demand signals, particularly when there is a disparity between the fetal genetic drive for growth and the nutrient supply. These adaptive responses help to maintain fetal growth during adverse conditions and are likely to depend, at least in part, on the hormonal milieu. This review examines the endocrine regulation of placental phenotype with particular emphasis on the glucocorticoid hormones. It focuses on the availability of placental hormone receptors and on the effects of hormones on the morphology, transport capacity and endocrine function of the placenta.
激素在调节胎儿发育中起着重要作用。它们作为环境信号，将组织生长和分化与营养物质的可利用性联系起来。虽然激素控制着胎儿可获得资源的发育命运，但胎儿实际获得的营养物质和氧气供应取决于胎盘。然而，尽管胎盘具有广泛的激素受体且从妊娠早期就开始自身产生激素，但人们对激素在调节胎盘发育中的作用了解甚少。因此，胎盘在其整个生命周期中通过自分泌、旁分泌和内分泌机制接触激素。已知胎盘会根据环境线索和胎儿需求信号调整其表型，特别是当胎儿生长的遗传驱动力与营养供应之间存在差异时。这些适应性反应有助于在不利条件下维持胎儿生长，并且可能至少部分取决于激素环境。本综述探讨胎盘表型的内分泌调节，特别强调糖皮质激素。它关注胎盘激素受体的可获得性以及激素对胎盘形态、转运能力和内分泌功能的影响。
