Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

New Perspectives on Estrogen, Progesterone, and Oxytocin Action in Primate Parturition

  • Conference paper
Basic Mechanisms Controlling Term and Preterm Birth

Part of the book series: Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop ((SCHERING FOUND,volume 7))

  • 55 Accesses

Abstract

In studying the control of parturition in primates it is logical to concentrate on those endocrine and paracrine regulators which have proven to be important prerequisites for parturition in other species (i.e., estrogens, progesterone, prostaglandins, oxytocin, and cytokines). It has been shown in domestic ruminants that increased estrogen levels and falling progesterone levels at term (dependent upon the fetal adrenal secretion of Cortisol) are pivotal for the initiation of parturition (Liggins et al. 1977; Challis and Olson 1988). Although the rising production of estrogens by the fetoplacental unit provides an attractive mechanism for the endocrine initiation of labor in primates, estrogens likely serve only a permissive function in parturition. There is no evidence for the lowering of progesterone concentrations in the maternal, fetal, or amniotic fluid compartments in higher primates prior to or during labor. However, a prepartum fall in progesterone is such a ubiquitous phenomenon across species that it is still tempting to search for evidence of a localized progesterone withdrawal mechanism in target tissues of primates. Indeed, the recent availability of effective antiprogestins has provided an efficient tool to facilitate such investigation.

This is publication no. 1890 from the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amico JA, Seif SM, Robinson AG (1981) Oxytocin in human plasma: correlation with neurophysin and stimulation with estrogen. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 52:988–993

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowden D, Winter P, Ploog G (1967) Pregnancy and delivery behavior in the squirrel monkey (Saimri sciureus) and other primates. Folia Primatol (Basel) 5:1–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brandt EM, Mitchell G (1971) Parturition in primates: behavior related to birth. In: Rosenblum LA (ed) Primate Behavior Development in Field and Laboratory Research. Academic Press, New York, pp 177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner RM, West NB, McClellan MC (1990) Estrogen and progestin receptors in the reproductive tract of male and female primates. Biol Reprod 42:11–19

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Calder AA (1990) Control of Parturition: Scientific and Clinical Aspects. In: Garfield RE (ed) Uterine Contractility, Serono Symposia, USA, Massachusetts, pp 283–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Challis JRG, Olson DM (1988) Parturition. In: Knobil E, Neill J (eds) The Physiology of Reproduction, Raven Press, New York, pp 2177–2216

    Google Scholar 

  • Challis JRG, Sprague C, Patrick JE (1983) Relation between diurnal changes in peripheral plasma progesterone, Cortisol, and estriol in normal women at 30–31, 34–35, and 28–29 weeks of gestation. Gynecol Obstet Invest 16:33–44

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chibbar R, Miller FD, Mitchell BF (1993) Synthesis of oxytocin in amnion, chorion, and decidua may influence the timing of human parturition. J Clin Invest 91:185–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Couzinet B, Le Strat N, Ulmann A, Baulieu EE, Schaison G (1986) Termination of early pregnancy by the progesterone antagonist RU486 (mifepristone). N Engl J Med 315:1656–1670

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle GA, Pelletied A, Bekkeer T (1967) Courtship, mating and parturition in the lesser bushbaby (Balago senegalensis moboli) under semi-natural conditions. Folia Primatol (Basel) 7:169–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ducsay CA, Cook MJ, Walsh SW, Novy MJ (1983) Circadian patterns and dexamethasone-induced changes in uterine activity in pregnant rhesus monkeys. Am J Obstet Gynecol 145:389–396

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ducsay CA, Yellon SM (1991) Photoperiod regulation of uterine activity and melatonin rhythms in the pregnant rhesus macaque. Biol Reprod 44:967–974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Figueroa JP, Honnebier MBOM, Binienda Z, Wimsatt J, Nathanielsz PW (1989) Effect of 48-hour intravenous D4-androstenedione infusion on the pregnant rhesus monkey in the last third of gestation: Changes in maternal plasma estradiol concentrations and myometrial activity. Am J Obstet Gynecol 161:481–486

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Figueroa JP, Honnebier MBOM, Jenkins S, Nathanielsz PW (1990) Alteration of 24 h rhythms in myometrial activity in the chronically catheterized pregnant rhesus monkey following a 6 h shift in the light-dark cycle. Am J Obstet Gynecol 163:648

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frydman R, Lelaidier C, Baton-Saint-Mleux C, Fernandez H, Vial M, Bourget P (1992) Labor induction in women at term with mifepristone (RU486): A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Obstet Gynecol 80:972–975

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR (1986) The role of oxytocin in parturition. In: Huszar G (ed) The Physiology and Biochemistry of the Uterus in Pregnancy and Labor. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL pp 163–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR, Behrens O, Liu H-C (1992) Correlation of nocturnal increase in plasma oxytocin with a decrease in plasma estradiol/progesterone ratio in late pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 167:1559–1563

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fuchs AR, Goeschen K, Husslein P, Rasmussen AB, Fuchs F (1983) Oxytocin and the initiation of human parturition. III. Plasma concentrations of oxytocin an d13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2a in spontaneous and oxytocin-induced labor at term. Am J Obstet Gynecol 147:497–502

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Gasc JM, Baulieu MD (1987) Effects of the antiprogesterone RU486 on preterm birth in the rat. Am J Obstet Gynecol 157:1281–1285

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Kannan MS, Daniel EE (1980) Gap junction formation in myometrium: control by estrogens, progesterone, and prostaglandins. Am J Physiol 238:C81–C89

    Google Scholar 

  • Garfield RE, Tabb T, Thilander G (1990) Intercellular coupling and modulation of uterine contractility. In: Garfield RE (ed) Uterine Contractility, Serono Symposia, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Germain AM, Valenzuela GJ, Ivanhovic M, Ducsay CA, Gabella C, Seron-Ferre M (1993) Relationship of circadian rhythms of uterine activity with term and preterm delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 168:1271–1277

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Germain G, Cabrol D, Visser A, Sureau C (1982) Electrical activity of the pregnant uterus in the cynomolgus monkey. Am J Obstet Gynecol 142:513–518

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Germain G, Lopes P, Cabrol D, Barbe MP, Huneau D, le Houezec R, Sureau C (1986) A comparison of uterine motility in the pregnant and nonpregnant cynomolgus monkesy (Macaca fascicularis) and pregnant women: A man-ometric and electromyographic study. Acta Physiol Hung 67:95–115

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Germain G, Philibert D, Pottier J, Mouren M, Baulieu EE, Sureau C (1985) Effects of the antiprogesterone agent RU486 on the natural cycle and gestation in the intact cynomolgus monkeys. In: Baulieu EE, Segal SJ (eds) The Antiprogesterone Steroid RU486 and Human Fertility Control. Plenum Press, New York, pp 155–168

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Giannopoulos G, Jackson K, Tulchinsky D (1983) Specific glucocorticoid binding in human uterine tissues, placenta and fetal membranes. J Steroid Biochem 19:1375

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gibb W (1977) Steroid modulation by the human fetal membranes. In: Second Symposia publications, The Endocrine Physiology of Pregnancy and the Peripartal Period, Raven Press, New York, p 135

    Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1988) Prostaglandin production by intrauterine tissues of the rhesus monkey after RU486 treatment. Biol Reprod 38 [suppl 1]: abstract 266

    Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1991) Epostane but not RU486 mimics spontaneous parturition in rhesus monkeys. Soc Gynecol Invest, San Antonio TX, abstract 11

    Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1993) Effect of onapristone (ZK98299) on uterine activity an cervical status in late gestation rhesus monkeys. Soc Gynecol Invest, Toronto, Ontario, abstract S24

    Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Witkin SS, Novy MJ (1992) Epostane induces parturition in rhesus monkeys by lowering endogenous progesterone concentrations. In: Soc Gynecol Invest, San Antonio TX, abstract 244

    Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Jay IC, Novy MJ (1989) Gap junctions in the primate myometrium: effect of RU486. Biol Reprod 40 [Suppl 1] abstract 250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Mitchell MD, Novy MJ (1990b) Amniotic fluid lipoxygenase metabolites during spontaneous labor and after RU486 treatment during late pregnancy in rhesus macaques. Prostaglandins 40:99–105

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, Stanczyk FZ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1987) Temporal changes in uterine activity and progesterone response to RU486 in rhesus macaques in late gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 157:1487–1495

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haluska GJ, West NB, Novy MJ, Brenner RM (1990a) Uterine estrogen receptors are increased by RU486 in late pregnant rhesus macaques but not after spontaneous labor. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 70:181–186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harbert GM (1977) Biorhythms of the pregnant utereus (Macaca mulatto). Am J Obstet Gynecol 129:401–408

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harbert GM, Spisso KR (1980) Biorhythms of the primate uterus (Macaca mulatto) during labor and delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol 138:686–692

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hess DL, Spies HG, Hendrickx AG (1981) Diurnal steroid patterns during gestation in the rhesus macaque: Onset, daily variation and the effects of dexamethasone treatment. Biol Reprod 24:609–616

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill NCW, Selinger M, Ferguson J, Lopez-Bernal A, MacKenzie IZ (1990) The physiological and clinical effects of progesterone inhibition with mifepristone (RU486) in the second trimester. Br J Obstet Gynecol 97:487–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirst JJ, West NB, Brenner RM, Novy MJ (1990) Myometrial and decidual progesterone receptors during gestation, in spontaneous labor and after RU486 treatment in rhesus monkeys. In: Proceedings of the Serono Symposium on Uterine Contractility: Mechanisms of Control, St. Louis, Missouri, p 41, abstract 17

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirst JJ, Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Hess DL, Novy MJ (1991a) Comparison of plasma oxytocin and catecholamine concentrations with uterine activity in pregnant rhesus monkeys. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 73:804–810

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hirst JJ, Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1991b) Maternal plasma oxytocin (OT) and oxytocin receptor concentrations during late pregnancy in rhesus monkeys. In: Proceedings of the 38th annual meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, San Antonio, TX, p 146

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirst JJ, Haluska GJ, Cook MJ, Novy MJ (1993) Plasma oxytocin and nocturnal uterine activity: Maternal but not fetal concentrations increase progressively during late pregnancy and delivery in rhesus monkeys. Am J Obstet Gynecol 169:414–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Honnebier MBOM, Figueroa JP, Nathanielsz PW (1989a) Variation in myometrial response to pulsatile intravenous oxytocin administration — a pulsatile oxytocin challenge test at different times of the day in the pregnant rhesus monkey at 121 to 138 days gestational age. Endocrinology 125:1498–1503

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Honnebier MBOM, Figueroa JP, Rivier J, Vale W, Nathanielsz PW (1989b) Studies of the role of oxytocin in late pregnancy in the pregnant rhesus monkey: plasma concentrations of oxytocin in the maternal circulation throughout the 24-h day and the effect of the synthetic oxytocin antagonist [1-B-Mpa (B-(CH2)5)l,(Me(Tyr2,Orn8] oxytocin. J Dev Physiol 12:225–232

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Honnebier MBOM, Jenkins SL, Wentworth RA, Figueroa JP, Nathanielsz PW (1991) Temporal structural of delivery in the absence of a photoperiod: Preparturient myometrial activity of the rhesus monkey is related to maternal body temperature and depends on the maternal circadian system. Biol Reprod 45:617–625

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Honnebier MBOM, Jenkins SL, Nathanielsz PW (1992) Circadian timekeeping during pregnancy: endogenous phase relationships between maternal plasma hormones and the maternal body temperature rhythm in pregnant rhesus monkeys. Endocrinology 131:2051–2058

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Husslein P, Fuchs AR, Fuchs F (1981) Oxytocin and the initiation of human parturition. I. Prostaglandin release during induction of labor by oxytocin. Am J Obstet Gynecol 141:688–393

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ito A, Hiro D, Ojima Y, Mori Y (1988) Spontaneous production of inter-leukin-1-like factors from pregnant rabbit uterine cervix. Am J Obstet Gynecol 159:261–265

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen GD, Bobbitt RA (1967) Changing parturition time in monkeys (Macaca nemistrina) from night to day. Lab Anim Care 17:379–381

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Klein-Hitpass L, Cato ACB, Henderson D, Ryffel GU (1991) Two types of antiprogestins identified by their differential action in transcriptionally active extracts from T47D cells. Nucleic Acid Res 19:1227–1234

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kocan LH, MacLusky NJ, Lye SJ (1993) Dexamethasone reverses the labor-associated myometrial desensitization to β adrenergic agonists in the rat. Am J Obstet Gynecol 168:961–968

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liggins GC, Fairclough RJ, Grieves SA, Forster CS, Knox BS (1977) Parturition in the sheep. In: Knight J, O’Connor M (eds) The fetus and birth. Ciba Found Symp 47:5

    Google Scholar 

  • Longo LD, Yellon SM (1988) Biological timekeeping during pregnancy and the role of circadian rhythms in parturition. In: Kunzel W, Jensen A (eds) Endocrine Control of the Fetus. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 173–192

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Main DM, Grisso JA, Wold T, Snyder ES, Holmes J, Chiu G (1991) Extended longitudinal study of uterine activity among low-risk women. Am J Obstet Gynecol 165:1317–1322

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto T, Hess DL, Kaushal KM, Valenzuela GY, Yellon SM, Ducsay CA (1991) Circadian myometrial and endocrine rhythms in the pregnant rhesus macaque: Effects of constant light and timed melatonin infusion. Am J Obstet Gynecol 165:1777–1784

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell B, Cruickshank B, McLean D, Challis JRG (1982) Local modulation of progesterone production in human fetal membranes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 55:1237–1239

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell MD, Brennecke SP, Novy MJ (1984) Prostaglandin synthease inhibitor activity in the plasma of rhesus monkeys during late pregnancy: Effect of dexamethasone. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Med 14:199–204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Haluska GJ (1988) Endocrine and paracrine control of parturition in rhesus monkeys. In: McNellis D, Challis JRG, MacDonald PC, Nathanielsz PW, Roberts JM (eds) The Onset of Labor: Cellular and Integrative Mechanisms, Perinatology Press, Ithaca, NY pp 321–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Liggins GC (1980) Role of prostaglandins, prostacyclin, and thromboxanes in the physiologic control of the uterus and in parturition. Sem Perinatol 4:45–66

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Walsh SW (1981) Regulation of fetoplacental steriodogenesis in rhesus macaques. In: Novy M J, Resko JA (eds) Fetal endocrinology. Academic, New York, pp 65–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Walsh SW (1983) Dexamethasone and estradiol treatment in pregnant rhesus macaques: Effects on gestational length, maternal plasma hormones, and fetal growth. Am J Obstet Gynecol 145:920–931

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Walsh SW, Cook MJ (1980) Chronic implantation of catheters and electrodes in pregnant nonhuman primates. In: Nathanielsz PW (ed) Animal Models in Fetal Medicine, Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, Amsterdam, p 133

    Google Scholar 

  • Novy MJ, Haluska GJ, Cook MJ (1989) Circadian uterine activity is abolished by fetal death but restored by maternal estradiol (E2) administration. In: Soc Gynecol Invest, San Diego CA, abstract 342

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogle TF (1986) Evidence for nuclear processing of progesterone receptors in rat placenta. J Steroid Biochem 25:183

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Potestio FA, Zakar T, Olson DM (1988) Glucocorticoids stimulate prostaglandin synthesis in human amnion cells by a receptor-mediated mechanism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 67:1205–1210

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quartero HWP, Fry CH (1989) Placental corticotrophin-releasing factor may modulate human parturition. Placenta 10:439–443

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodger MW, Baird DT (1990) Pretreatment with mifepristone (RU486) reduces interval between prostaglandin administration and expulsion in second trimester abortion. Br J Obstet Gynecol 97:41–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd RW, Stanczyk FZ, Bethea CL, Novy MJ (1992) Fetal and maternal endocrine responses to reduced uteroplacental blood flow. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 75:301–307

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siiteri PK, Serón-Ferré (1981) Some new thoughts on the fetoplacental unit and parturition in primates. In: Novy MJ, Resko JA (eds) Fetal Endocrinology, Academic Press, New York, pp 1–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanczyk FZ, Hess DL, Namkung PC, Senner JW, Petra PH, Novy MJ (1986) Alterations in sex steroid-binding protein (SBP), corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), and steroid hormone concentrations during pregnancy in rhesus macaques. Biol Reprod 35:126–132

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tambyraja RL, Hobel CJ (1983) Characterization of 24 hr uterine activity (UA) in the second half of the human pregnancy. Proceedings of the 30th annual meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Washington DC, abstract 516

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor NF, Martin MC, Nathanielsz PW, Serón-Ferré M (1983) The fetus determines circadian oscillation of myometrial electromyographic activity in the pregnant rhesus monkey. Am J Obstet Gynecol 146:557–567

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh SW, Kittinger GW, Novy MJ (1979) Maternal peripheral concentrations of estradiol, estrone, Cortisol, and progesterone during late pregnancy in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatto) and after experimental fetal anencephaly and fetal death. Am J Obstet Gynecol 135:37–42

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh SW, Ducsay CA, Novy MJ (1984a) Circadian hormonal interactions among the mother, fetus, and amniotic fluid. Am J Obstet Gynecol 150:745–753

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh SW, Norman RL, Novy MJ (1979) In utero regulation of rhesus monkey fetal adrenals: Effects of dexamethasone, adrenocorticotropin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, prolactin, human chorionic gonadotropin, and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone on fetal and maternal plasma steroids. Endocrinology 104:1805–1813

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walsh SW, Stanczyk FZ, Novy MJ (1984b) Daily hormonal changes in the maternal, fetal and amniotic fluid compartments before parturition in a primate species. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 58:629–639

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson L, Parsons MT, Flouret G (1991) Forward shift in the initiation of the nocturnal estradiol surge in the pregnant baboon: Is this the genesis of labor. Am J Obstet Gynecol 165:1487–1498

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wolf JP, Sinosich M, Anderson TL, Ulmann A, Baulieu EE, Hodgen GD (1989) Progesterone antagonist (RU486) for cervical dilation, labor induction, and delivery in monkeys: Effectiveness in combination with oxytocin. Am J Obstet Gynecol 160:45–47

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Miles J. Novy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. George J. Haluska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

K. Chwalisz R. E. Garfield

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Novy, M.J., Haluska, G.J. (1994). New Perspectives on Estrogen, Progesterone, and Oxytocin Action in Primate Parturition. In: Chwalisz, K., Garfield, R.E. (eds) Basic Mechanisms Controlling Term and Preterm Birth. Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop, vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21660-6_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-21660-6_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-21662-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-21660-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation