Placental hormones

Placental Hormones

The placenta is a vital organ that forms during pregnancy, serving as the interface between the mother and the fetus. One of its primary functions is the production of placental hormones, which are essential for maintaining pregnancy and preparing the mother's body for lactation.

Function

Placental hormones play a crucial role in the regulation of pregnancy. They support the uterus in sustaining the pregnancy, prepare the mammary glands for lactation, and modulate the mother's immune system to prevent the rejection of the fetus.

Types of Placental Hormones

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is one of the earliest hormones produced by the placenta, detectable within days after implantation. hCG maintains the corpus luteum, which in turn continues to secrete progesterone and estrogen to prevent menstruation and support the early stages of pregnancy.

Progesterone

Progesterone is crucial for maintaining the lining of the uterus and suppressing the mother's immune response to the fetus. It also promotes the growth of milk-producing glands in the breasts in preparation for lactation.

Estrogen

Estrogen levels increase throughout pregnancy, stimulating the growth of the uterus and the development of the mammary glands. It also enhances the mother's metabolism to support the growing fetus.

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL)

Human Placental Lactogen (hPL), also known as human chorionic somatomammotropin, has both growth-promoting and lactogenic activities. It modulates maternal metabolism, promoting the availability of glucose and amino acids for the fetus.

Placental Growth Factor (PlGF)

Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) is involved in the growth of the placenta and the establishment of the blood supply to the fetus. It is also implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.

See Also

• Pregnancy
• Endocrinology
• Obstetrics

References

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