The elucidation of the tissue-specific profile of expression of the prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) receptors during embryonic and fetal development in a range of species has provided a new impetus for the delineation of the specific roles of the hormone ligands for these receptors in development. During late gestation, there is a requirement to shift from a phase of predominant cellular proliferation, where placental nutrient supply is a dominant influence on organ and body growth, to one of functional differentiation, which is required for independent homoeostasis after birth. In this review we discuss the interactions between the pre-partum increases in cortisol and thyroid hormones and the synthesis, secretion and actions of fetal PRL and GH. We also review the changes that occur in the tissue-specific expression of the PRL and GH receptors before birth which may play an important role in precocial species in the successful transition of the fetus to extra-uterine life.
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Conference Article|
May 01 2001
Maturation of cytokine receptors in preparation for birth
I. C. McMillen;
I. C. McMillen
1
1Department of Physiology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail caroline.mcmillen@adelaide.edu.au)
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D. C. Houghton;
D. C. Houghton
1Department of Physiology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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I. D. Phillips
I. D. Phillips
1Department of Physiology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
December 18 2000
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2001 Biochemical Society
2001
Biochem Soc Trans (2001) 29 (2): 63–68.
Article history
Received:
December 18 2000
Citation
I. C. McMillen, D. C. Houghton, I. D. Phillips; Maturation of cytokine receptors in preparation for birth. Biochem Soc Trans 1 May 2001; 29 (2): 63–68. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0290063
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