Levels of alpha-melanotrophin in the human fetal pituitary gland throughout gestation, in adult pituitary gland and in human placenta.
alpha-Melanotrophin was detected by radioimmunoassay in the human fetal pituitary gland from 11 weeks of gestation. The peak hormone concentration of 3.4 nmol/g pituitary tissue was reached at 17-20 weeks. From 17 to 36 weeks of gestation the total gland content rose gradually from 28 to 102 pmol. During this latter period, the pituitary gland grew some 10-fold, with the result that the alpha-melanotrophin concentration declined steadily to 1.3 nmol/g. In the final month of gestation, both the total gland content and the concentration of alpha-melanotrophin rose significantly to 254 pmol and 2.4 nmol/g respectively. The variations in pituitary gland content of alpha-melanotrophin were consistent with a role for pars intermedia peptides in the fetus. alpha-Melanotrophin-like peptides were not demonstrated in human placental tissue.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000032:analysis*; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000032:analysis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012737:Sex Factors
D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones