Biol Reprod Keystone Symposia Conference on Frontiers in Reproductive Biology & Regulation of Fertility.
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Biology of Reproduction, Vol 23, 264-270, Copyright © 1980 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

In utero Evidence for a Functional Fetoplacental Unit in Rhesus Monkeys

SCOTT W. WALSH 1, JOHN A. RESKO 1, MELVIN M. GRUMBACH 2, , and MILES J. NOVY 3

1 Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006 and Department of Physiology, University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, Oregon 97201
2 Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143
3 Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon 97006 and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, Portland, Oregon 97201


To test the hypothesis that a fetoplacental unit for estrogen biosynthesis is operative in the rhesus monkey, studies were performed in chronically catheterized animals during late gestation. Changes in fetal and maternal plasma concentrations of estrone, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione were determined in response to infusions of dexamethasone into mothers, and of ACTH, DHEAS, or androstenedione into fetuses.

A significant (P<0.0l) maternal: fetal concentration difference (sim20:1) was observed in control samples for estradiol, but not for estrone, DHEAS, or androstenedione (P>0.05). Dexamethasone administration decreased (P<0.05) maternal estrone, estradiol, and DHEAS, as well as fetal estrone and DHEAS. Subsequent administration of ACTH to fetuses increased (P<0.05) fetal estrone, DHEAS and androstenedione, and also maternal estrone and estradiol. Fetal estradiol and maternal DHEAS and androstenedione were not significantly changed (P>0.05). The concentrations of fetal estrone and DHEAS, and of maternal estrone and estradiol returned to pre-dexamethasone control values during infusion of ACTH into fetuses.

Administration of DHEAS or androstenedione to fetuses without concurrent dexamethasone administration increased (P<0.05) fetal estrone and maternal estrone and estradiol. No significant changes (P>0.05) were observed in maternal or fetal cortisol or progesterone concentrations. Fetal estradiol levels were relatively low in all of the experiments, and they were not significantly altered by dexamethasone, ACTH, DHEAS, or androstenedione infusions (P>0.05).

Collectively, these data indicate that the increases in fetal and maternal estrogens after administration of ACTH to fetuses are the result of ACTH stimulation of fetal adrenal DHEAS and androstenedione production. Androstenedione and DHEAS are transported via the fetal circulation to the placenta, where they are converted to estrogens. Thus, the rhesus monkey, like the human, has a functional fetoplacental unit.

Note:
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We gratefully acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Michael Cook, Sandra Buzzetti, and Carole Thomas.

Submitted on October 5, 1979
Accepted on May 21, 1980




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Copyright © 1980 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.