title: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the female reproductive tract.
abstract: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), originally identified as an inflammation-associated cytokine, is synthesized throughout the female reproductive tract as well as in placentas and embryos. Development, female sex steroid hormones, and lipopolysaccharide influence expression of this gene. The functions of TNF may be determined in part by differential expression of the two species of TNF receptors, both of which seem to be regulated by female sex steroid hormones. Evidence has accumulated that supports a role for this potent, pleiotropic cytokine in autocrine and paracrine processes central to reproduction, including gamete and follicle development, steroidogenesis, uterine cyclicity, placental differentiation, development of the embryo, and parturition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160-7401, USA.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Terranova
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Roby
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hunt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012098:Reproduction; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha