title: Maturation of cytokine receptors in preparation for birth.
abstract: The elucidation of the tissue-specific profile of expression of the prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) receptors during embryonic and fetal development in a range of species has provided a new impetus for the delineation of the specific roles of the hormone ligands for these receptors in development. During late gestation, there is a requirement to shift from a phase of predominant cellular proliferation, where placental nutrient supply is a dominant influence on organ and body growth, to one of functional differentiation, which is required for independent homoeostasis after birth. In this review we discuss the interactions between the pre-partum increases in cortisol and thyroid hormones and the synthesis, secretion and actions of fetal PRL and GH. We also review the changes that occur in the tissue-specific expression of the PRL and GH receptors before birth which may play an important role in precocial species in the successful transition of the fetus to extra-uterine life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. caroline.mcmillen@adelaide.edu.au
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: McMillen
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Houghton
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000378:metabolism*; D017440:Photoperiod; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011986:Receptors, Somatotropin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone