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The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Handwerger, S; Freemark, M
Published in: J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab
April 2000

The human growth hormone (hGH)/human placental lactogen (hPL) gene family, which consists of two GH and three PL genes, is important in the regulation of maternal and fetal metabolism and the growth and development of the fetus. During pregnancy, pituitary GH (hGH-N) expression in the mother is suppressed; and hGH-V, a GH variant expressed by the placenta, becomes the predominant GH in the mother. hPL, which is the product of the hPL-A and hPL-B genes, is secreted into both the maternal and fetal circulations after the sixth week of pregnancy. hGH-V and hPL act in concert in the mother to stimulate insulin-like growth factor (IGF) production and modulate intermediary metabolism, resulting in an increase in the availability of glucose and amino acids to the fetus. In the fetus, hPL acts via lactogenic receptors and possibly a unique PL receptor to modulate embryonic development, regulate intermediary metabolism and stimulate the production of IGFs, insulin, adrenocortical hormones and pulmonary surfactant. hGH-N, which is expressed by the fetal pituitary, has little or no physiological actions in the fetus until late in pregnancy due to the lack of functional GH receptors on fetal tissues. hGH-V, which is also a potent somatogenic hormone, is not released into the fetus. Taken together, studies of the hGH/hPL gene family during pregnancy reveal a complex interaction of the hormones with one another and with other growth factors. Additional investigations are necessary to clarify the relative roles of the family members in the regulation of fetal growth and development and the factors that modulate the expression of the genes.

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Published In

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab

DOI

ISSN

0334-018X

Publication Date

April 2000

Volume

13

Issue

4

Start / End Page

343 / 356

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Pregnancy
  • Placental Lactogen
  • Placental Hormones
  • Pituitary Gland
  • Humans
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Growth Hormone
  • Gene Deletion
  • Female
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism
 

Citation

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Handwerger, S., & Freemark, M. (2000). The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, 13(4), 343–356. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2000.13.4.343
Handwerger, S., and M. Freemark. “The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 13, no. 4 (April 2000): 343–56. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2000.13.4.343.
Handwerger S, Freemark M. The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Apr;13(4):343–56.
Handwerger, S., and M. Freemark. “The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development.J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab, vol. 13, no. 4, Apr. 2000, pp. 343–56. Pubmed, doi:10.1515/jpem.2000.13.4.343.
Handwerger S, Freemark M. The roles of placental growth hormone and placental lactogen in the regulation of human fetal growth and development. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Apr;13(4):343–356.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab

DOI

ISSN

0334-018X

Publication Date

April 2000

Volume

13

Issue

4

Start / End Page

343 / 356

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Pregnancy
  • Placental Lactogen
  • Placental Hormones
  • Pituitary Gland
  • Humans
  • Human Growth Hormone
  • Growth Hormone
  • Gene Deletion
  • Female
  • Endocrinology & Metabolism