In vitro human growth hormone increases human chorionic gonadotropin and progesterone secretion by human placenta at term: evidence of a modulatory role by opioids

We examined the in vitro effect of human growth hormone (hGH) on hormone placental production and the modulation by opioids of this function. Small placental fragments from 12 term placentas were incubated at 37 degrees C in a 95% air and 5% CO2 atmosphere for 4 h with various concentrations of hGH (1-1000 ng/ml) or naloxone (3-500 ng/ml). Both hGH and naloxone increased the concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone in the media. The effect of the hGH was dose-dependent and statistically significant at 10 ng/ml, while naloxone was able to increase hCG and progesterone production only at the highest doses (250-500 ng/ml). The concomitant treatment with ineffective doses of naloxone and hGH was able to enhance hCG and progesterone secretion reaching levels similar to those obtained with the highest doses of hGH alone. High naloxone concentrations significantly decreased both hCG and progesterone secretion induced by high doses of hGH. This study confirms the relevance of growth hormone in sustaining placental endocrine activities and indicates an effect of opioids in modulating these function

Growth factor concentrations and their placental mRNA expression are modulated in gestational diabetes mellitus: possible interactions with macrosomia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. GDM is a well known risk factor for foetal overgrowth, termed macrosomia which is influenced by maternal hypergycemia and endocrine status through placental circulation. The study was undertaken to investigate the implication of growth factors and their receptors in GDM and macrosomia, and to discuss the role of the materno-foeto-placental axis in the <it>in-utero </it>regulation of foetal growth.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>30 women with GDM and their 30 macrosomic babies (4.75 ± 0.15 kg), and 30 healthy age-matched pregnant women and their 30 newborns (3.50 ± 0.10 kg) were recruited in the present study. Serum concentrations of GH and growth factors, <it>i.e</it>., IGF-I, IGF-BP3, FGF-2, EGF and PDGF-B were determined by ELISA. The expression of mRNA encoding for GH, IGF-I, IGF-BP3, FGF-2, PDGF-B and EGF, and their receptors, <it>i.e</it>., GHR, IGF-IR, FGF-2R, EGFR and PDGFR-β were quantified by using RT-qPCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-BP3, EGF, FGF-2 and PDGF-B were higher in GDM women and their macrosomic babies as compared to their respective controls. The placental mRNA expression of the growth factors was either upregulated (FGF-2 or PDGF-B) or remained unaltered (IGF-I and EGF) in the placenta of GDM women. The mRNA expression of three growth factor receptors, <it>i.e</it>., IGF-IR, EGFR and PDGFR-β, was upregulated in the placenta of GDM women. Interestingly, serum concentrations of GH were downregulated in the GDM women and their macrosomic offspring. Besides, the expression of mRNAs encoding for GHR was higher, but that encoding for GH was lower, in the placenta of GDM women than control women.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results demonstrate that growth factors might be implicated in GDM and, in part, in the pathology of macrosomia via materno-foeto-placental axis.</p

RU 486 et sulprostone dans le cadre des interruptions medicales de la grossesse aux 2e et 3e trimestres. [RU 486 and sulprostone in pregnancy termination in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters]

OBJECTIVE. Describe our experience with the RU 486 (mifepristone) in case of pregnancy termination induced by sulprostone. METHOD. Prospective non controlled study in the department of Fetal Medicine of the "Institut de Puericulture de Paris". 158 women undergoing termination of pregnancy during the second and third trimester received a single dose of 600 mg of RU 486, 36 hours prior to infusion of 100 micrograms/hour of sulprostone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES. Delay between sulprostone therapy and diagnosis of labour duration of delivery. Prostaglandin doses used and frequency of secondary effects. RESULTS. The mean time between sulprostone administration and diagnosis of labour (146.5 +/- 106 minutes) as well delay of delivery (592.2 +/- 504 minutes) corresponded to the results reported in the literature. The primigravid women needed higher doses of prostaglandin and consequently experienced more secondary effects. No severe secondary effects were observed in this study. CONCLUSION. RU 486 is a satisfactory treatment for pregnancy termination during the second or third trimester