Fetal Plasma Prolactin Levels1

Winters, Alan J.; Colston, Charlene; MacDonald, Paul C.; Porter, John C.

doi:10.1210/jcem-41-3-626

Cited by 131 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…The same results were reported in full-term and preterm infants (Perlman et al 1978), and this rapid decrease of prolactin was considered the consequence of estrogen reduction from neonatal circulation (Winter et al 1975). Estrogens have a stimulatory effect on pituitary prolactin secretion in vivo (Meites et al 1972;Frantz et al 1979) and in vitro (MacDonald and Siiteri 1965).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

The human fetal prolactin and estradiol levels, and their correlationship.

Fukaya

Furuhashi

Shinkawa

et al. 1984

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

The human fetal prolactin and estradiol levels, and their correlationship.

Fukaya

Furuhashi

Shinkawa

et al. 1984

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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“…It is known that fetal pituitary secretion of prolactin increases progressively during normal human gestation (22,23). This is thought to be due, in part, to the ever increasing production of estrogen that is characteristic of human pregnancy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prolactin Levels in Umbilical Cord Serum and Its Relation to Fetal Adrenal Activity in Newborns of Women with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

Parker¹,

Hankins²,

Carr³

et al. 1986

Pediatr Res

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ABSTRACT. The effect of hypertension in pregnant women on fetal maturation is an issue of considerable importance. Because of a possible role of prolactin in fetal adrenal steroidogenesis and in fetal lung maturation, we have investigated the relationship between hypertension in pregnant women and levels of prolactin and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum of newborn infants. It was found that with the mild-to-moderate form of pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH), there was little effect on prolactin levels in newborn serum. In newborns of women with severe PIH, however, serum prolactin levels were significantly greater (p < 0.01) than those in newborns of women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Conversely, umbilical serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in newborns of women with severe PIH were significantly less (p < 0.05) than those in newborns of women with uncomplicated pregnancies. These findings are supportive of the view that pituitary function and adrenocortical function of fetuses of women with PIH are different from those of fetuses of normotensive women. These findings are suggestive that PIH alters the function of the fetal pituitary and adrenal cortex. (Pediatr Res 20: 876-878, 1986) Abbreviations PIH, pregnancy-induced hypertension DS, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfateThe effects of disorders of pregnant women on the processes of human fetal development are varied. Perhaps the most common complication of pregnancy is PIH. In the current study, we investigated the effects of PIH on the levels of prolactin and DS in serum of newborns. Prolactin was chosen for study since it is a major secretory product of the fetal pituitary that has been proposed to serve a role in fetal adrenal steroidogenesis (1-6), and also in fetal lung maturation (7-10). DS was chosen for study since it is the major secretory product of the fetal adrenal cortex and is the principal precursor of estrogens formed in the placenta during human pregnancy (1 1). Received February 20,1986; accepted April 28, 1986. Correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. C. Richard Parker, Jr., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University Station, Birmingham, AL 35294.These studies were supported, in part, by USPHS Grants HD14513 and HD13912. METHODSThe subjects of this study were 157 newborn infants of women who were normotensive and whose pregnancies were considered to be otherwise uncomplicated and 7 1 newborn infants ofwomen whose pregnancies were complicated by PIH. All newborns were delivered between 28 and 40 wk of gestation: gestational age being the number of weeks since the last menstrual period minus 2 wk. Newborns of hypertensive women with additional complications (i.e. chronic hypertension, diabetes, etc.) were omitted from this study. PIH was classified as severe when the onset of hypertension occurred prior to or during the 32nd wk of gestation. In instances when the onset of hypertension occurred after the 32nd wk of gestation, PIH was classified according to the magnit...

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“…There were many controversies (Winter et al 1975;Hauth et al 1978;Leontic et al 1979) about the role of PRL for the fetus. Our previous report suggests that PRL has some growth promoting effect on the human fetus (Furuhashi et al 1980).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PRL levels in fetal circulation increase significantly after 28 gestational weeks in human (Winter et al 1975), and fetal growth is promoted markedly after the end of mid gestation. Although anencephalic infants have a low growth hormone level, the growth retardation has not been found in them (Furuhashi et al 1980).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of sulpiride administration on maternal and fetal plasma prolactin levels, and fetal growth in rats.

Fukaya¹,

Furuhashi²,

Kono³

et al. 1983

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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Pregnant Wistar rats were daily injected with 5 mg sulpiride into the peritoneal cavity starting on day 14 of gestation. Blood samples were obtained from the maternal carotid artery and fetal axillary vessels on day 20 of gestation. Serum prolactin (PRL) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay using a rat PRL RIA kit. The maternal serum and fetal plasma PRL levels were significantly higher in the sulpiride-treated group than in the saline control group. There was a significant positive correlation between fetal body weight and fetal plasma PRL level. These results suggest that sulpiride which reached the fetus stimulates fetal PRL secretion and that PRL may exert a growth-promoting effect on the fetus.----prolactin; sulpiride; fetal growth; ratThe roles of prolactin (PRL) during pregnancy still remain unclear, especially the effect on the fetus. The PRL levels in fetal circulation increase significantly after 28 gestational weeks in human (Winter et al. 1975), and fetal growth is promoted markedly after the end of mid gestation. Although anencephalic infants have a low growth hormone level, the growth retardation has not been found in them (Furuhashi et al. 1980). These findings suggest that PRL may have some growth promoting effect on human fetus, and that growth hormone is not essential for fetal growth.In this study, we investigated the effect of PRL on the fetal growth and the relationship of PRL and fetal body weight using sulpiride-treated pregnant rats. MATERIALS AND METHODSSulpiride (Dogmatyl®) 5 mg or saline (control) was daily injected into the peritcneal cavity of pregnant Wistar rats from 14 days of gestational age. On day 20 of gestation all animals were sacrificed under ether anesthesia and maternal blood was obtained from the carotid artery, and the then all fetuses were exteriorized. Fetal body weight was measured immediately after exteriorization. Fetal blood samples were collected via an incision from axillary vessels using heparinized capillaries. The blood was pooled from fetuses which were taken out from one side of the uterus.

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Fetal Plasma Prolactin Levels1

Cited by 131 publications

References 2 publications

The human fetal prolactin and estradiol levels, and their correlationship.

The human fetal prolactin and estradiol levels, and their correlationship.

Prolactin Levels in Umbilical Cord Serum and Its Relation to Fetal Adrenal Activity in Newborns of Women with Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

The effect of sulpiride administration on maternal and fetal plasma prolactin levels, and fetal growth in rats.

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