Endocrinology of pregnancy in ruminants: the placental proteins

The two main groups of placental proteins of ruminants are related in this paper: Placental lactogens and Pregnancy-Specific (-Associated) Proteins. Placental lactogens belong to the prolactin and growth hormone family. They stimulate mammogenesis, fetal growth hormone family. They stimulate mammogenesis, fetal growth and maternal metabolism. Pregnancy-Specific proteins and Pregnancy-Associated glycoproteins belong to the aspartic proteinase family as pepsine, cathepsine D, E. These two groups of proteins are secreted in the maternal circulation by the binucleate cells after their migration to and fusion with the uterine cells. Their profiles were determined through RIA. Further investigations are in progress to rely secretory profiles with alterations of the trophoblastic function as occuring in embryonic mortality, abortion, fetal distress..