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Chapter 6 - The Role of Progesterone in Pregnancy

from Section I - Hormones in the Physiology and Pharmacology of Pregnancy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2022

By
Sam Mesiano
Edited by
Felice Petraglia ,
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso  and
Federico Mecacci
Felice Petraglia
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
Federico Mecacci
Affiliation:
Università degli Studi, Florence
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Summary

The steroid hormone progesterone (P4: 4-pregnene-3,20-dione), acting via nuclear P4 receptors (PRs), is a major regulator of the female reproductive system. P4 produced by the ovarian corpus luteum (CL) acts on uterine endometrial cells to create a tissue and intrauterine environment conducive for embryo implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. Aptly referred to as the hormone of pregnancy, P4 is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and the physiologic control of its withdrawal is the principal trigger for parturition. This chapter examines the evolutionary biology and past and recent advances in research to elucidate the mechanism of action and regulation of P4/PR signaling in the hormonal control of pregnancy and parturition. Exploiting this pathway may be a key to clinically controlling the onset of labor and preventing pre-term birth.

Type
Chapter
Information
Hormones and Pregnancy
Basic Science and Clinical Implications
 , pp. 50 - 60
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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