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Endocrinology of the Placenta

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The Placenta

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Abstract

The placenta is the largest endocrine organ during pregnancy dominating the entire hormonal system. Placental peptide and steroid hormones influence all maternal endocrine functional circuits and regulatory axes. Progesterone, as the central pregnancy-maintaining hormone, relaxes the myometrium and has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions that allow the formation of the necessary immune tolerance at the fetomaternal interface. Estrogens regulate maternal adaptation to pregnancy. Leptin, placental lactogen, and placental growth hormone alter maternal metabolism to use its resources to provide continuous fetal nutrition. Placental corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH) is central to the initiation of labor as the placental clock.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany

    Ekkehard Schleußner

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  1. Ekkehard Schleußner
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Correspondence to Ekkehard Schleußner .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cell Biology Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    Berthold Huppertz

  2. Klinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Germany

    Ekkehard Schleußner

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Schleußner, E. (2023). Endocrinology of the Placenta. In: Huppertz, B., Schleußner, E. (eds) The Placenta. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66256-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-66256-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-66255-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-66256-4

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