title: Anti-progesterones: background and clinical physiology.
abstract: The development of anti-progesterones has provided a probe to examine the role of progesterone both in the normal cycle and in pregnancy. The most widely used of these agents, mifepristone, appears to act both directly at the endometrial progesterone receptor, and centrally by reducing circulating gonadotrophin concentrations. In addition, ovarian steroidogenesis may be modified. The clinical application of these agents for the interruption of pregnancy will be considered in the following chapters.
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Healy
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D004963:Estrenes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D015735:Mifepristone; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D004963:Estrenes; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D015735:Mifepristone