Book contents
- Hormones and Pregnancy
- Hormones and Pregnancy
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section I Hormones in the Physiology and Pharmacology of Pregnancy
- Chapter 1 The Neuroendocrinology of Pregnancy
- Chapter 2 The Placenta as an Endocrine Organ/Placental Endocrinology
- Chapter 3 The Role of Oxytocin in Pregnancy
- Chapter 4 The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Pregnancy
- Chapter 5 The Role of Estrogens in Pregnancy
- Chapter 6 The Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy
- Chapter 7 Hormones and Cardiovascular Systems in Pregnancy
- Section II Hormones and Gestational Disorders
- Index
- References
Chapter 6 - The Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy
from Section I - Hormones in the Physiology and Pharmacology of Pregnancy
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 November 2022
Book contents
- Hormones and Pregnancy
- Hormones and Pregnancy
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section I Hormones in the Physiology and Pharmacology of Pregnancy
- Chapter 1 The Neuroendocrinology of Pregnancy
- Chapter 2 The Placenta as an Endocrine Organ/Placental Endocrinology
- Chapter 3 The Role of Oxytocin in Pregnancy
- Chapter 4 The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Pregnancy
- Chapter 5 The Role of Estrogens in Pregnancy
- Chapter 6 The Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy
- Chapter 7 Hormones and Cardiovascular Systems in Pregnancy
- Section II Hormones and Gestational Disorders
- Index
- References
Summary
The steroid hormone progesterone (P4: 4-pregnene-3,20-dione), acting via nuclear P4 receptors (PRs), is a major regulator of the female reproductive system. P4 produced by the ovarian corpus luteum (CL) acts on uterine endometrial cells to create a tissue and intrauterine environment conducive for embryo implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. Aptly referred to as the hormone of pregnancy, P4 is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and the physiologic control of its withdrawal is the principal trigger for parturition. This chapter examines the evolutionary biology and past and recent advances in research to elucidate the mechanism of action and regulation of P4/PR signaling in the hormonal control of pregnancy and parturition. Exploiting this pathway may be a key to clinically controlling the onset of labor and preventing pre-term birth.
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- Information
- Hormones and PregnancyBasic Science and Clinical Implications, pp. 50 - 60Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022
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