These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Changes in the abundance of mRNA for type-I 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-->delta 4 isomerase in the human placenta and fetal membranes during pregnancy and labor.
    Author: Riley SC, Bassett NS, Berdusco ET, Yang K, Leystra-Lantz C, Luu-Thé V, Labrie F, Challis JR.
    Journal: Gynecol Obstet Invest; 1993; 35(4):199-203. PubMed ID: 8330763.
    Abstract:
    A local decrease in progesterone synthesis in the placenta and fetal membranes has long been proposed as a possible mechanism in the control of human labor. We have examined whether changes occur in the abundance of mRNA for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta 5-->delta 4 isomerase (3 beta-HSD), the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone in human placenta and fetal membranes, by Northern blot analysis using a cDNA probe to human placental type-I 3 beta-HSD, the predominant isoenzyme in the placenta. The abundance of 3 beta-HSD mRNA (1.7-kb transcript) was about 10-fold greater in term placenta than in chorio-decidua, but undetectable in total RNA from amnion. There was no change in the abundance of 3 beta-HSD mRNA in either placenta or chorio-decidua obtained after elective cesarean section at term, after preterm labor, or after term or postterm vaginal delivery. We conclude that the abundance of 3 beta-HSD mRNA does not change in the placenta or fetal membranes with labor, consistent with the view that changes in 3 beta-HSD gene expression and decreased progesterone production are unlikely to effect intrauterine paracrine/autocrine regulatory mechanisms leading to term or preterm labor in women.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]