Exam 2 (Lecture 6) - Anterior Pituitary and Gonadotropins 2

Question 1

What are functions of the placental chorionic gonadotropin, interferon tau, placental lactogen, and relaxin?

Answer 1

1) Chorionic gonadotropin (analogous to LH)
- produced by human trophoblastic cells of blastocyst
- rescues CL from regression
- this keeps producing progesterone which is necessary for suppression of pituitary gonadotropins
- prevents regression of endometrium
- pregnancy test in humans

2) Interferon tau
- produced by bovine and ovine trophoblasts
- similar function to human chorionic gonadotropin

3) Placental lactogen (GH and prolactin analog)
- supports maternal metabolism
- initiates milk synthesis
- antagonizes maternal insulin

4) Relaxin
- relaxes pelvic ligaments
- increases oxytocin synthesis > preparation for parturition