The source of relaxin in pregnant Syrian hamsters

Serum immunoreactive relaxin (IR) was measured on days 8, 10, and 14 of gestation in intact and ovariectomized (day 8 of pregnancy) hamsters. In intact hamsters, IR increased from 3-4 ng/ml on day 8 to 20 ng/ml by day 14 of pregnancy. After ovariectomy on day 8, pregnancy failed, and IR decreased rapidly to 0.29 ng/ml on day 14. However, when pregnancy was maintained in ovariectomized hamsters by daily injections of 0.1 microgram 17 beta-estradiol and 4 mg progesterone, serum IR rose to levels similar to those in intact hamsters on days 10 and 14 of pregnancy (i.e. 15 and 20 ng/ml, respectively). Placentas were obtained from other groups of hamsters on days 11, 14, and 15 of pregnancy and homogenized for bioassay by the classical guinea pig pubic symphysis palpation bioassay. Homogenates of placentas obtained on days 14 and 15 contained, respectively, 4 and 10 micrograms eq porcine relaxin/serum relaxin/g fresh tissue. The placenta, rather than the ovary, appears to be the source of during pregnancy in the hamster.