title: [Pregnancy-associated hormones and fetal-maternal relations].
abstract: Pregnancy is an immunological paradox that implies that a semi-allogeneic fetus is not rejected by the maternal immune system, from implantation of the embryo to delivery. Progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), contribute to the transformation of immune cells in a transient tolerance state, necessary to the maintenance of pregnancy. The effects of pregnancy hormones depend probably of their maternal plasma level. hCG is dangerous at high concentrations because it can stimulate autoantibodies production, whereas in physiological concentrations, hCG, P4 and E2 upregulate immune response expanding regulatory T and B cells, allowing the fetus to grow within the maternal uterus in a protective environment. A second example of fetal-maternal relation found recently is the role of maternal nutrition on development of the fetal hypothalamic neurons. Experiments in mice fed on a high fat diet reveal a critical timing when altered maternal metabolism affect formation of hypothalamic neurocircuits of the offspring and predispose him to long-term metabolic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie et nutrition, CHU de Rennes, 35203 Rennes cedex 2, France. Electronic address: emilie.gailly@chu-rennes.fr.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gailly-Fabre
authors.affiliation: Service d'endocrinologie, diabétologie et maladies métaboliques, CHU de Brest, site de la Cavale Blanche, 29609 Brest cedex, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kerlan
authors.affiliation: Service d'endocrinologie et maladies de la reproduction, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Christin-Maitre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000196:embryology; D007109:Immunity; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: Grossesse; Homéostasie métabolique; Hormone chorionique gonadotrope humaine; Human chorionic gonadotropin; Hypothalamus; Immune regulation; Metabolic homeostasis; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Progestérone; Régulation immunitaire