CRH and ACTH directly modulate the endocrine function of trophoblasts in culture by downregulating progesterone production

Regulation of progesterone production in human term trophoblasts in vitro by CRH, ACTH and cortisol (prednisolone)

Udo Jeschke1 , Ioannis Mylonas1, Dagmar-Ulrike Richter2, Ingo Höcker2, Volker Briese2, Antonis Makrigiannakis3 and Klaus Friese1(1) 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337 Munich, Germany (2) Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany (3) Department of Obstetrics & Gynocology, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, 71110, Greece

Received: 13 December 2004
Accepted: 11 January 2005

Published online: 16 April 2005

Abstract Background:

In most mammals, onset of labor is accompanied with progesterone withdrawal.

In humans, cortisol blockade of progesterone is a possible mechanism involved in the initiation of labor.

Therefore, aim of the study was to clarify the effect of CRH, ACTH and cortisol (prednisolone) on the release of progesterone by term trophoblast cells in vitro.

Methods: Cytotrophoblast cells were prepared from human term placentas by standard dispersion of villous tissue followed by a percoll gradient centrifugation step.

Trophoblasts were incubated with CRH, ACTH as well as with prednisolone

Results:

The release of progesterone is decreased in CRH- and ACTH-treated trophoblast cell cultures compared to untreated trophoblast cells.

Addition of prednisolone in varying concentrations leads to an increase of trophoblast progesterone production.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that CRH and ACTH directly modulate the endocrine function of trophoblasts in culture by downregulating progesterone production.

Prednisolone on the other hand showed a stimulating effect on progesterone production in term trophoblast cells in vitro.

Because blockade of progesterone is a possible mechanism involved in initiation of labor, we may speculate that CRH and ACTH are directly involved in the auto- or paracrine regulation of this procedure. Keywords CRH - ACTH - Prednisolone - Progesterone production - Trophoblast cells

http/www.springerlink.com/content/hg9txt426r9q2821/

A short luteal phase (is the period that starts at ovulation and ends on the day before the next period) that lasts less than 10 days also indicates low levels of progesterone.

http/www.buzzle.com/articles/low-progesterone.html