Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Stress-associated preterm delivery: the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA.
Objective:
The study's objective was to provide an introduction to the role of corticotropin-releasing hormone in preterm delivery associated with stress.
Study Design:
A selective review of the current literature relevant to the objective was undertaken. Published data were analyzed for relevance to the biochemical model presented.
Results:
Preterm delivery is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Efforts to prevent preterm delivery have been greatly hampered by a poor understanding of the underlying pathophysiology. There is increasing clinical and laboratory evidence that many preterm deliveries result from maternal and fetal stress, which activates cells in the placenta, decidua, and fetal membranes to produce corticotropin-releasing hormone. Corticotropin-releasing hormone in turn enhances prostaglandin production in these tissues to promote parturition.
Conclusion:
Corticotropin-releasing hormone plays an important role in the etiology of preterm delivery associated with maternal or fetal stress.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Physiological Foundation of Stress
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

