Endocrinology of human parturition

Abstract The mechanisms involved in human pregnancy maintenance and parturition are highly complex and involve mother, fetus and placenta. The “final common pathway” to delivery is composed by inflammatory and endocrine interactive paths that tip the balance in favor of coordinated uterine contracti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annales d'endocrinologie 2016-06, Vol.77 (2), p.105-113
Main Authors: Vannuccini, Silvia, Bocchi, Caterina, Severi, Filiberto M, Challis, John R, Petraglia, Felice
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accouchement
CRH
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Estrogens
Estrogènes
Internal Medicine
Parturition
Placenta
Progesterone
Progestérone
Prostaglandines
Prostaglandins
Relaxin
Relaxine
Urocortin
Urocortines
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Summary:Abstract The mechanisms involved in human pregnancy maintenance and parturition are highly complex and involve mother, fetus and placenta. The “final common pathway” to delivery is composed by inflammatory and endocrine interactive paths that tip the balance in favor of coordinated uterine contractility and cervical dilation. These mechanisms involve a shift from progesterone to estrogen dominance, CRH action, increased sensitivity to oxytocin, gap junction formation, and increased prostaglandins activity. Complementary changes in the cervix involve a decrease in progesterone dominance and the actions of prostaglandins and relaxin, via connective tissue alterations, leading to cervical softening and dilation. Neuronal, hormonal, inflammatory and immune pathways participate in initiation of labor and the utero-placental unit plays a major role in the synthesis and release of parturition mediators.
ISSN:0003-4266
DOI:10.1016/j.ando.2016.04.025