Endocrinology of pregnancy: chorionic somatomammotropins and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins: review

The two main groups of placental proteins of ruminants are discussed in this paper: chorionic somatomammotropins (placental lactogens) and pregnancy-specific (-associated) proteins. Placental lactogens belong to the prolactin and growth hormone family. They stimulate mammogenesis, fetal growth and maternal metabolism. Pregnancy-specific proteins and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins belong to the aspartic proteinase family like pepsin, cathepsin D and E. These two groups of proteins are secreted in the maternal circulation by the binucleate cells after their migration to and fusion with the uterine cells. Their profiles were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Further investigations are in progress to relate secretory profiles with alterations of the trophoblastic function such as those occurring in embryonic mortality, abortion, and fetal distress. The endocrine function of the primate and equine placenta is also discussed.