Kleis-San Francisco S K, Callard I P
Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1986 Aug;63(2):220-9. doi: 10.1016/0016-6480(86)90159-0.
The physiological significance of progesterone during gestation in viviparous reptiles is not understood, although there is strong evidence for luteal synthesis and secretion of this steroid. In a previous study we characterized an oviduct progesterone receptor in the viviparous snake, Nerodia, and in this study we describe changes in receptor during the reproductive cycle. Correlation of the amount of receptor with changes in plasma estradiol 17 beta and progesterone and the effect of injected hormones suggest that the receptor may be regulated by these steroids as in mammals. Thus, the basis exists for target organ responses to progesterone and provides additional evidence for the potential role of progesterone in the early hormonal adaptations in the evolution of viviparity.
尽管有确凿证据表明黄体可合成并分泌这种类固醇，但在胎生爬行动物妊娠期孕酮的生理意义仍不清楚。在之前的一项研究中，我们鉴定了胎生蛇类——水游蛇属输卵管中的孕酮受体，在本研究中，我们描述了该受体在生殖周期中的变化。受体数量与血浆17β-雌二醇和孕酮变化的相关性以及注射激素的影响表明，该受体可能如在哺乳动物中一样受这些类固醇调节。因此，存在靶器官对孕酮作出反应的基础，并为孕酮在胎生进化早期激素适应中的潜在作用提供了额外证据。
