Prolactin family miniarray: a tool for evaluating uteroplacental-trophoblast endocrine cell phenotypes

The prolactin family represents a group of hormones and cytokines that participate in the control of maternal and fetal adaptations to pregnancy. The aim of this study was to develop a simple assay for monitoring patterns of prolactin family gene expression in rats and mice. Prolactin family cDNAs were spotted on to nylon membranes. Total RNA was extracted from tissues or cells. cDNAs were generated, radiolabelled using reverse transcriptase, and used as probes to hybridize with the prolactin family miniarrays. Pituitary, uterine decidual tissue and placenta each expressed a unique profile of prolactin family members. Placental tissues exhibited regional- and temporal-specific patterns of expression. Prolactin family gene expression differed markedly in mid-pregnant versus late gestation placental tissues and between the junctional and labyrinthine zones of the chorioallantoic placenta. Marked changes in prolactin family gene expression were also observed in cultured trophoblast cells undergoing differentiation. In conclusion, the prolactin family miniarray assay is an effective method for evaluating the endocrine phenotype of the uterus, placenta and trophoblast cells.