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Serum level of placental growth hormone is raised in pregnancy rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe any relationship between pregnancy rhinitis and weight gain or serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, placental growth hormone, or insulinlike growth factor I. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven nonsmoking healthy pregnant women aged 22 to 38 years (mean age, 28 years) who had no history of respiratory allergy or chronic nasal or sinus problems volunteered to enter the study. They had no nasal complaints at entry. METHODS: Nasal patency was registered daily from early pregnancy until 1 month after delivery. Nasal and oral peak expiratory flow rates were established, and the subjective blockage was scored from 0 to 4, with 0 indicating no blockage. Serum samples were collected and weight was measured on 4 occasions during pregnancy and again at the end of the study. Pregnancy rhinitis was diagnosed if the subjective nasal obstruction score was 1 or higher every morning for at least 6 weeks immediately preceding delivery, then returned to 0 within 2 weeks and remained at 0 until the end of the study. If on any day other signs of respiratory tract infection occurred, that day was excluded. RESULTS: Pregnancy rhinitis was diagnosed in 5 women. These 5 women showed significantly higher levels of placental growth hormone than the women without the diagnosis. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups regarding body weight or any of the other serum levels studied. CONCLUSIONS: Serum level of placental growth hormone is raised in pregnancy rhinitis and may be involved in its pathogeny. Pregnancy rhinitis does not significantly raise weight gain or serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, or insulinlike growth factor I.

Adult↗

A new nonisotopic, highly sensitive assay for the measurement of human placental growth hormone: development and clinical implications.

Human placental GH (hGH-V) is a variant of pituitary hGH (hGH-N) synthesized and secreted by syncytiotrophoblasts during pregnancy. It differs from hGH-V by only 13 amino acid residues, which makes difficult a specific measurement of hGH-V without interference from hGH-N. To overcome the analytical difficulties, we produced new high affinity monoclonal antibodies specific for hGH-V. Precise screening and epitope mapping allowed identification of a pair of monoclonal antibodies suitable to establish a highly sensitive assay for hGH-V measurement. In a prospective, longitudinal study involving 84 normal pregnancies, we measured maternal concentrations of hGH-V, leptin, IGF-I, and cord blood IGF-I. hGH-V was detectable as early as gestational week (GW) 7. Mean concentrations of hGH-V increased from 0.9 +/- 0.5 microg/liter (GW 7-13) to 2.8 +/- 0.9 microg/liter (GW 18-22), 7.3 +/- 2.6 microg/liter (GW 28-32), and 13.0 +/- 9.6 (GW 37-41). A negative correlation was found between prepregnancy body mass index and hGH-V concentrations from GW 28 onward. Peak hGH-V levels occurred at wk 36.5 +/- 2.6 and were significantly lower in obese (P = 0.029) and higher in underweight (P = 0.035) mothers compared with those in mothers of normal weight. The increase in hGH-V between GW 18-22 and GW 28-32 was negatively correlated to the increase in maternal leptin during this period (P = 0.027). Maternal IGF-I concentrations were correlated to those of hGH-V from GW 18 onward (P = 0.039). The strongest correlation was found at GW 28-32 (P = 0.001). Furthermore, maternal hGH-V concentrations in late pregnancy correlated with cord blood IGF-I (P = 0.025) and size of the newborn (P = 0.017). These results, obtained by a new, highly sensitive hGH-V-specific immunoassay, highlight the importance of maternal hGH-V in the regulation of maternal and fetal IGF-I. In addition, the results indicate that maternal weight has a major impact on circulating concentrations of hGH-V.

Animals↗

Absence of human placental lactogen and placental growth hormone (HGH-V) during pregnancy: PCR analysis of the deletion.

Human placental lactogen (HPL) is produced in large amounts in normal pregnancies. We report a pregnancy with complete lack of HPL and the placental variant of the human growth hormone HGH-V. The pregnancy resulted in a severely growth-retarded but otherwise normal male baby. PCR analysis of DNA extracted from the placenta showed that the HPL encoding genes hPL-4 and hPL-3 were deleted along with the human growth hormone variant gene (hGH-V), which is located between these two active hPL genes and also expressed in the normal placenta. Of the five members of this multigene family, hGH-N, which is expressed in the pituitary gland, and hPL-1, a presumed pseudogene, were left intact. The latter (hPL-1) was expressed as RNA transcripts only at very low levels as is usually reported in normal pregnancies. Analysis of the parents' DNA showed that both of them carried a different heterozygous deletion at the 3' end of the hGH/hPL locus.

Adult↗

Purification and biochemical characterization of recombinant human placental growth hormone produced in Escherichia coli.

The hGH-V (or hGH-2) gene codes for human placental growth hormone (hPGH). Secretion of hPGH is continuous, in contrast with the pulsed secretion of pituitary growth hormone (hGH) which it progressively replaces in the maternal bloodstream. hGH-V cDNA has previously been cloned and isolated. Analysis of its nucleotide sequence has revealed a 191-residue protein, hPGH, differing from hGH at 13 positions. The calculated pI is more basic than that of the pituitary hormone. Here we have inserted hGH-V cDNA into the pIN-III-ompA3 plasmid in order to produce hPGH in its native form in Escherichia coli D1210. Expression of hGH-V cDNA in E. coli is significantly lower than that of hGH cDNA with the same expression system. The hPGH produced in E. coli was purified in quantities sufficient to allow its biochemical and immunochemical characterization. The molecular mass of the protein was determined by electrospray m.s. The determined mass, 22,320 Da, agrees well with the molecular mass calculated from the translated cDNA sequence, assuming the presence of two disulphide bridges. Having established the technique for producing hPGH with a primary structure identical to the natural, non-glycosylated, 22 kDa isoform, we can now plan the full physicochemical and pharmaceutical characterization of this new hormonal entity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of dopamine and melatonin on the regulation of the PIT-1 isotype, placental growth hormone and lactogen gene expressions in the rat placenta.

Rat placenta produces several members of the placental prolactin-growth hormone (PRL-GH), including placental lactogen (PL) and placental prolactin like protein (PLP), during pregnancy. It is important to study placental local regulators that control the expression of PRL-GH genes. We have previously reported that dopamine (DA) can regulate Pit-1 and PL-II gene expressions. In this study we aimed to investigate the local expression of melatonin receptor 1a (Mel1a) and the effects of DA and melatonin on the expressions of PL-Iv, PL-II, PLP-C genes and Pit-1 gene that are involved in the expression of PRL-GH genes in the rat pituitary and placenta. According to the Northern blot analysis, DA receptor 2 (D2) was expressed in the rat placenta. We also report on the local expression of Mel1a in the rat placenta for the first time. Injected DA agonist, bromocriptine (in vivo) decreased PL-Iv, PLP-C and Pit-1 mRNA levels in the rat placenta. The melatonin agonist, chloromelatonin in culture media also decreased the levels of PL-Iv, PL-II and PLP-C mRNA. However, melatonin does not affect the Pit-1 mRNA level. These data suggest that D2 and Mel1a may control the expression of PRL-GH genes in the rat placenta and its response to the extracellular changes of DA and melatonin secreted from the maternal organ. However, Pit-1 may not be involved in the Mel1a induced inhibition of PRL-GH gene expressions in the rat placenta.

Animals↗

Placenta as a source of 'brain' and 'pituitary' hormones.

Placental peptides, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL), which have marked homologies to pituitary peptides, were described in the early part of this century. Recently, the presence in placenta of additional peptides previously demonstrated as occurring in other tissues, such as brain and pituitary, has been reported. Their presence in placenta has been attributed to similar embryological origin of the tissues which share these peptides, although this has by no means been proven. Placental concentrations of these recently described peptides are several orders of magnitude lower than described for their original sites of production. In many instances, definitive characterization of structural identity with their extraplacental counterparts has not been performed, but has been based on indirect evidence obtained by immunoassay or immunocytochemistry. Evidence of placental synthesis has been obtained for hCG, hPL, and pro-opiomelanocortin (the precursor molecule for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), B-lipotropin (B-LPH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), beta-endorphin, and other thus far uncharacterized peptides). Possible functions for the recently described peptides might include actions on the maternal or fetal systems or local (paracrine) actins affecting other placental constituents, although to date no definitive physiological roles have been demonstrated.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Recombinant analogues of prolactin, growth hormone, and placental lactogen: correlations between physical structure, binding characteristics, and activity.

The availability of recombinant growth hormones, prolactins, placental lactogens and a few soluble extracellular domains of their receptors have extended our ability to study the interaction of somatogenic and lactogenic hormones with their receptors. Modifications of their respective cDNAs have enabled the preparation of sufficient amounts of the corresponding proteins. The present review summarizes two aspects of these interactions: (a) the relationship between binding, the apparent ability to dimerize the receptors and biological activities in vitro and in vivo; and (b) the effect of mutations on selective changes in the ability of human growth hormone and bovine placental lactogen to interact with somatogenic and lactogenic receptors. In view of this summary, strategies for preparing a second generation of biologically relevant recombinant hormones are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Placental growth hormone in Down's syndrome screening.

A number of serum markers have been proposed to improve the sensitivity (and specificity) of the triple test, which, until now, has been the gold standard in second-trimester serum screening for Down's syndrome. Among them, human placental growth hormone (hPGH) has been proposed because of its significantly elevated serum levels in pregnancies affected by chromosomal aneuploidies. Our experience, on maternal serum stored from 32 Down's syndrome-affected pregnancies, confirms a slight but significant increase in hPGH levels compared with controls. These data summarized to that of the previous screening could give a calculated detection rate of 71.9%, better than that of the standard triple test alone (65.6%).

Adult↗

Influence of season on mean plasma levels of prolactin, placental lactogen hormone and luteinizing hormone during the second half of gestation in the ewe.

Mean plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), placental lactogen (OCS) and luteinizing hormone (LH) have been studied in pregnant ewes at different times of the year from approximately day 60 of gestation until parturition. Three groups were constituted and inseminated at different times: September, group I; November, group II; March, group III. Blood samples were collected on two consecutive days approximately every 10 days. The results indicate that plasma PRL levels are influenced by the season. In group I, PRL concentrations were 3 and 2 times less than those of group III during the third and fifth months of gestation. OCS levels, strongly dependent on the stage of gestation, were not significantly affected by the season. LH concentrations remained low in all three groups throughout the studied period of gestation.

Animals↗

Placental growth hormone levels in normal pregnancy and in pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation.

To assess the possible role of placental growth hormone (GH) in fetoplacental growth, we measured placental and pituitary GH (GHN) in maternal plasma by means of two RIA using two MAb (5B4 recognizing both placental GH and GHN, and K24 recognizing only GHN) during pregnancy. IGF-I also was measured by RIA in the same samples after extraction. A transverse study of 186 samples obtained between 8 wk of amenorrhea (WA) and term confirmed the reported rise in GH immunoreactivity with 5B4 after 24 to 25 WA from 12.3 +/- 2.0 mU/L (mean +/- SEM) to a plateau of 27.5 +/- 3.4 mU/L at 34 to 35 WA together with the decrease in GHN to undetectable levels by 24 to 25 WA. IGF-I levels increased from 164.0 +/- 44.6 micrograms/L at 24 to 25 WA to 331.6 +/- 63.6 micrograms/L at term. A longitudinal study of 31 normal pregnant women confirmed this hormonal pattern and the reported placental GH plateau after 35 WA. A drastic decrease in placental GH was observed with the onset of labor (from 26.9 +/- 2.1 to 2.7 +/- 1.1 mU/L), whereas the decrease in IGF-I was not significant (from 212.9 +/- 26.5 to 162.4 +/- 16.9 micrograms/L).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Birth Weight↗

Increased human placental growth hormone at midtrimester pregnancies may be an index of intrauterine growth retardation related to preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between maternal serum and amniotic fluid levels of human Placental Growth Hormone (hPGH) with the fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) related to preeclampsia. DESIGN: We analyzed samples in pairs of serum and amniotic fluid retrospectively from 25 women, who manifested preeclampsia and IUGR in the late second or the third trimester of gestation. The samples were obtained at 16-22 weeks' gestation during amniocentesis for fetal karyotyping. At this time, there was no clinical or sonographic evidence of preeclampsia or IUGR, respectively. Sixty-two serum samples were used as controls which were obtained at 16-22 weeks' gestation from women with singleton, uncomplicated pregnancies, with normal outcome, and appropriate for gestational age neonatal birth weight. Forty-seven amniotic fluid samples were also used as controls which were obtained at 16-22 weeks' gestation from the women that were included in the control group who underwent an amniocentesis. hPGH levels were measured by a solid phase immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: The mean hPGH values in the serum and the amniotic fluid of the IUGR related to preeclampsia affected pregnancies were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the normal pregnancies at 16-22 weeks' gestation: mean+/-SD in the serum was 13.16+/-10.52 ng/ml vs. 4.39+/-2.23 ng/ml; mean+/-SD in the amniotic fluid 2.49+/-1.6 ng/ml vs. 0.82+/-0.67 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: hPGH levels in maternal serum and amniotic fluid were found to be higher at 16-22 weeks' gestation in pregnancies that will be complicated subsequently by IUGR related to preeclampsia. Our findings suggest that the evaluation of the changes of hPGH levels at midtrimester should be further investigated for the possibility to provide a potential predictive index of IUGR and preeclampsia.

Amniocentesis↗

[Placental growth hormone. Significance relative to growth hormone and lactogen hormone].

Normal human placenta secretes within maternal compartment a pregnancy associated protein, placental growth hormone (PGH). This entity, agonist of pituitary GH, appears responsible for the elevated IGF I blood levels observed in the mother during pregnancy, while pituitary GH is no longer secreted. PGH could thus play a significant role in the anabolic processes of pregnancy. The biochemical mechanism responsible for PGH production is the expression of the GH-V gene at the placental level. This has been demonstrated by the positive probing of GH-V mRNA in this tissue, by the establishment of the restriction map and sequence of its cDNA as well as by the NH2-terminal sequence determination of both 22 and 25K PGH forms. The positive aspect of this function for human reproduction gains weight in that a placenta deleted for the CS-A, GH-V and CS-B gene expresses alternative genes coding for protein similar or related to pituitary GH or hPL, respectively.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hamster placental lactogen-II contains a structural feature unique among the growth hormone-prolactin-placental lactogen family.

Sequence analysis of cDNA for hamster placental lactogen-II (PL-II) revealed that while this protein has a high degree of sequence homology to mouse and rat PL-II it contains a pair of cysteine residues not present in the mouse and rat proteins or in any other known member of the GH-PRL-PL protein family. This unique pair of cysteine residues may be responsible for the extreme tendency of hamster PL-II, compared to other members of the GH-PRL-PL family, to form disulfide-bonded hormone-serum protein complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗