Novembri R, Funghi L, Voltolini C, Belmonte G, Vannuccini S, Torricelli M, Petraglia F
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Applied Biology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Placenta. 2015 Jul;36(7):731-7. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.04.009. Epub 2015 Apr 30.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, playing a role in sexual differentiation and recruitment. Since a correlation exists between AMH serum levels in cord blood and fetal sex, the present study aimed to identify mRNA and protein expression of AMH and AMHRII in placenta and fetal membranes according to fetal sex.
Placenta and fetal membranes samples (n = 40) were collected from women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies at term. Identification of AMH protein in placenta and fetal membranes was carried out by immunohistochemistry and AMH and AMHRII protein localization by immunofluorescence, while mRNA expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR.
AMH and AMHRII mRNAs were expressed by placenta and fetal membranes at term, without any significant difference between males and females. Placental immunostaining showed a syncytial localization of AMH without sex-related differences; while fetal membranes immunostaining was significantly more intense in male than in female fetuses (p < 0,01). Immunofluorescence showed an intense co-localization of AMH and AMHRII in placenta and fetal membranes.
The present study for the first time demonstrated that human placenta and fetal membranes expresses and co-localizes AMH and AMHRII. Although no sex-related difference was found for the mRNA expression both in placenta and fetal membranes, a most intense staining for AMH in male fetal membranes supports AMH as a gender specific hormone.
抗苗勒管激素（AMH）是转化生长因子-β超家族的成员，在性别分化和募集过程中发挥作用。由于脐血中AMH血清水平与胎儿性别之间存在关联，本研究旨在根据胎儿性别确定胎盘和胎膜中AMH及AMHRII的mRNA和蛋白表达情况。
从足月单胎妊娠且无并发症的妇女中收集胎盘和胎膜样本（n = 40）。通过免疫组织化学鉴定胎盘和胎膜中的AMH蛋白，通过免疫荧光确定AMH和AMHRII蛋白的定位，同时通过定量实时PCR评估mRNA表达。
足月时胎盘和胎膜均表达AMH和AMHRII mRNA，男性和女性之间无显著差异。胎盘免疫染色显示AMH呈合体滋养层定位，无性别相关差异；而胎膜免疫染色在男性胎儿中明显强于女性胎儿（p < 0.01）。免疫荧光显示胎盘和胎膜中AMH和AMHRII强烈共定位。
本研究首次证明人胎盘和胎膜表达并共定位AMH和AMHRII。虽然在胎盘和胎膜中未发现mRNA表达存在性别相关差异，但男性胎膜中AMH染色更强，支持AMH是一种性别特异性激素。
