Placental production of estradiol and progesterone after oocyte donation in patients with primary ovarian failure

Article Abstract:

Techniques of human embryo implantation have enabled infertile women to give birth to healthy children. This has been possible even in the extreme case of women without ovaries, who provide a novel opportunity for insight into the endocrine function of the placenta. In a normal woman, the corpora lutea, which develop from ovarian follicles every cycle after the egg has been expelled, secrete hormones which prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of the embryo. In a normal pregnancy, the corpora lutea continue to secrete hormones, but get more and more help from the placenta as it grows. In women without ovaries, physicians must supply the appropriate hormones, estradiol and progesterone, if the embryo is to implant properly and prosper. This enables the determination of when the placenta begins to noticeably contribute hormones which can be measured by blood tests. Weekly assays for estradiol, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and progesterone were conducted on blood samples from recipients of fresh or frozen embryos until the 24th week of gestation. Presumably, the estradiol and progesterone levels resulting from the administered hormones would remain constant; any rise should be attributable to the onset of placental secretion. The authors believe their data indicate a rise in placental secretion occurring at seven weeks of gestation. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Placenta, Progestational hormones

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Pregnancy enhances the sensitivity of glomerular ecto-adenosine triphosphate-diphosphohydrolase to products of activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Article Abstract:

Pregnancy appears to increase the sensitivity of some enzymes. The enzyme ecto-adenosine triphosphate-diphosphohydrolase (ecto-ATPase) is an anti-inflammatory enzyme that occurs in the kidney. Pregnancy alone can lead to a greater decrease in the activity of this enzyme. However, it can also cause the enzyme to become more sensitive to inflammatory cells such as activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Researchers confirmed this a study of rats exposed to activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Enzyme activity was suppressed to a greater extent in the pregnant rats than in the non-pregnant rats.

Enzymes, Pregnancy

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Suppression by developing ovarian follicles of the low-dose endotoxin-induced glomerular inflammatory reaction in the pregnant rat

Article Abstract:

Developing follicles in the ovary appear to produce a substance that can inhibit inflammation. This was the conclusion of researchers who tried to induce inflammation in rats by injecting them with bacterial toxins.

Prevention, Endotoxins

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