Presence of corticotropin in human placenta: demonstration of in vitro synthesis

Immunoassayable (I) and bioassayable (B) ACTH activity is present in extracts of extensively washed human placental tissue and dispersed viable trophoblasts (Tr). Similar concentrations (I) (1.7-2.7 ng/g) are present in term placentas from elective cesarian section or vaginal delivery and from planc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEndocrinology (Philadelphia) Vol. 101; no. 5; p. 1552
Main Authors Liotta, A, Osathanondh, R, Ryan, K J, Krieger, D T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1977
Subjects
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - biosynthesis
Dexamethasone - pharmacology
Female
Humans
Placenta - metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnancy Trimester, Third
Trophoblasts - drug effects
Trophoblasts - metabolism
Trypsin - pharmacology
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Summary:Immunoassayable (I) and bioassayable (B) ACTH activity is present in extracts of extensively washed human placental tissue and dispersed viable trophoblasts (Tr). Similar concentrations (I) (1.7-2.7 ng/g) are present in term placentas from elective cesarian section or vaginal delivery and from plancentas obtained by prostaglandin-induced abortion at 12, 15 and 18 weeks of gestation. Oral dexamethasone (8-12 mg) administered over an 8-48 h period prior to delivery does not significantly alter placental ACTH content. B-ACTH concentrations are 31-40% of I-ACTH. Sephadex G-50 filtration of term placental homogenates demonstrates two I-ACTH peaks, one eluting in the void volume and the other eluting in the region of synthetic hACTH1-39. When Tr are incubated in tissue culture medium, ACTH content of cells and of medium is significantly greater than pre-incubation levels.
ISSN:0013-7227
DOI:10.1210/endo-101-5-1552