HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wu, W-X Articles by McNeilly, A S Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wu, W-X Articles by McNeilly, A S

Within the human utero-placental unit only decidualized stromal cells express mRNA for prolactin. However, it is not clear if the level of prolactin production is related to the number of decidualized cells or the capacity of individual decidual cells to synthesize prolactin, either or both of which parameters may change during pregnancy. In the present study, prolactin production at different stages of human pregnancy was examined using quantitative in situ hybridization to assess decidual prolactin mRNA abundance, immunocytochemistry to examine the prolactin content inside decidual cells and RIA to measure decidual prolactin output into amniotic fluid. Throughout pregnancy the proportion of stromal cells showing positive immunostaining and mRNA for prolactin increased. There was a parallel increase in decidual cell size which was correlated with an increase in prolactin gene expression and intensity of immuno-staining for prolactin in individual decidual cells. These changes in decidual cells were consistent with the changes in the concentration of prolactin in amniotic fluid. These results suggest that there is a close link between the level of prolactin gene expression and production of prolactin by individual decidual cells, which in turn is directly related to the process of decidualization that continues throughout human pregnancy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				O. Eyal, J.-B. Jomain, C. Kessler, V. Goffin, and S. Handwerger Autocrine Prolactin Inhibits Human Uterine Decidualization: A Novel Role for Prolactin Biol Reprod, May 1, 2007; 76(5): 777 - 783. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Florio, M. Rossi, P. Vigano, S. Luisi, M. Torricelli, P. B. Torres, A. M. Di Blasio, and F. Petraglia Interleukin 1{beta} and Progesterone Stimulate Activin A Expression and Secretion From Cultured Human Endometrial Stromal Cells Reproductive Sciences, January 1, 2007; 14(1): 29 - 36. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Friedrichsen, C. V. Harper, S. Semprini, M. Wilding, A. D. Adamson, D. G. Spiller, G. Nelson, J. J. Mullins, M. R. H. White, and J. R. E. Davis Tumor Necrosis Factor-{alpha} Activates the Human Prolactin Gene Promoter via Nuclear Factor-{kappa}B Signaling Endocrinology, February 1, 2006; 147(2): 773 - 781. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.F.G. Verberg, D.J. Gillott, N. Al-Fardan, and J.G. Grudzinskas Hyperemesis gravidarum, a literature review Hum. Reprod. Update, September 1, 2005; 11(5): 527 - 539. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Dimitriadis, C. Stoikos, M. Baca, W. D. Fairlie, J. E. McCoubrie, and L. A. Salamonsen Relaxin and Prostaglandin E2 Regulate Interleukin 11 during Human Endometrial Stromal Cell Decidualization J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2005; 90(6): 3458 - 3465. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Dosiou and L. C. Giudice Natural Killer Cells in Pregnancy and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: Endocrine and Immunologic Perspectives Endocr. Rev., February 1, 2005; 26(1): 44 - 62. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Garzia, S. Borgato, V. Cozzi, P. Doi, G. Bulfamante, L. Persani, and I. Cetin Lack of expression of endometrial prolactin in early implantation failure: a pilot study Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2004; 19(8): 1911 - 1916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Gubbay, H. O. D. Critchley, J. M. Bowen, A. King, and H. N. Jabbour Prolactin Induces ERK Phosphorylation in Epithelial and CD56+ Natural Killer Cells of the Human Endometrium J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2002; 87(5): 2329 - 2335. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Dalrymple and H. N. Jabbour Localization and Signaling of the Prolactin Receptor in the Uterus of the Common Marmoset Monkey J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., April 1, 2000; 85(4): 1711 - 1718. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. N. Jabbour, H. O. D. Critchley, L.-y. Yu-Lee, and S. C. Boddy Localization of Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 (IRF-1) in Nonpregnant Human Endometrium: Expression of IRF-1 Is Up-Regulated by Prolactin during the Secretory Phase of the Menstrual Cycle J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 1999; 84(11): 4260 - 4265. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				H. N. Jabbour, H. O. D. Critchley, and S. C. Boddy Expression of Functional Prolactin Receptors in Nonpregnant Human Endometrium: Janus Kinase-2, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-1 (STAT1), and STAT5 Proteins Are Phosphorylated after Stimulation with Prolactin J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 1998; 83(7): 2545 - 2553. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				R. L. Jones, H. O. D. Critchley, J. Brooks, H. N. Jabbour, and A. S. McNeilly Localization and Temporal Expression of Prolactin Receptor in Human Endometrium J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., January 1, 1998; 83(1): 258 - 262. [Abstract] [Full Text]