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Comparative aspects of placental lactogens: structure and function

I A Forsyth1

  • 1Department of Cellular Physiology, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, U.K.

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology
|January 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

The placenta produces placental lactogens, proteins structurally similar to pituitary prolactin and growth hormone, which support pregnancy in mammals. These hormones have evolved multiple times across different species.

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Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pituitary removal in pregnant rats revealed placental prolactin-like bioactivity.
  • The placenta supports corpus luteum progesterone production and mammary gland development during pregnancy.
  • Mammalian placentas produce diverse proteins related to pituitary prolactin and growth hormone.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary origins and structural relationships of placental lactogens.
  • To explore the genetic basis and expression of placental lactogens in different mammalian groups.
  • To examine evidence for specific placental lactogen receptors in maternal and fetal tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of placental lactogen structures across rodents, ruminants, and primates.
  • Examination of gene clusters for growth hormone and placental lactogen in humans and mice.
  • Review of existing evidence for placental lactogen bioactivity and receptor interactions.

Main Results:

  • Placental lactogens have evolved independently in primates (related to growth hormone) and rodents/ruminants (related to prolactin).
  • Gene families for prolactin, growth hormone, and placental lactogens exist in mammals, with varying structures across species.
  • Evidence suggests specific receptors for placental lactogens in maternal and fetal tissues.

Conclusions:

  • Placental lactogens are crucial for mammalian pregnancy, with diverse evolutionary origins.
  • The structural and genetic diversity of placental lactogens highlights their adaptive significance.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles and receptor interactions of placental lactogens.

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