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Foetal endocrine maturation

J R Challis1, N Bassett, E T Berdusco

  • 1Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.

Equine Veterinary Journal. Supplement
|April 1, 1993
PubMed
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The study details the maturation of the foetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in sheep, crucial for birth. Key regulators like cortisol and adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) were examined, revealing insights into foetal development and stress response.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Foetal development

Background:

  • Parturition in domestic ruminants is initiated by the maturation of the foetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
  • This maturation involves increased cortisol production, regulated by various factors influencing foetal pituitary adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) secretion.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the regulatory factors of foetal ACTH secretion.
  • To understand the mechanisms of foetal adrenal activation and cortisol's role in modulating this process.
  • To investigate the regulation of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) in foetal circulation during late pregnancy.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels in the foetal pituitary.
  • Assessment of ACTH receptor expression and Gs protein coupling in the foetal adrenal gland.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurement of steroidogenic enzyme expression (e.g., P450c17) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) abundance.
  • Evaluation of corticosteroid binding globulin (CBG) concentration and gene expression in foetal circulation and liver.

    • Main Results:

    • Foetal ACTH increase is linked to elevated POMC mRNA and altered POMC processing.
    • Adrenal activation involves increased ACTH receptors, enhanced Gs protein coupling, and upregulated P450c17.
    • Cortisol modulates ACTH-induced adrenal function via GRs, with post-translational regulation of GR numbers.
    • Foetal cortisol stimulates CBG production and alters its glycosylation to reduce clearance.

    Conclusions:

    • The foetal HPA axis maturation in sheep is a complex process involving coordinated regulation of ACTH secretion and adrenal responsiveness.
    • Cortisol plays a critical role in modulating its own production and clearance through interactions with GRs and CBG.
    • Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) from the placenta may contribute to HPA axis maturation, though direct evidence for placental CRH/ACTH is lacking.