Evolution of placental hormones: Implications for animal models

Anthony M. Carter*

*Kontaktforfatter

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Abstract

Human placenta secretes a variety of hormones, some of them in large amounts. Their effects on maternal physiology, including the immune system, are poorly understood. Not one of the protein hormones specific to human placenta occurs outside primates. Instead, laboratory and domesticated species have their own sets of placental hormones. There are nonetheless several examples of convergent evolution. Thus, horse and human have chorionic gonadotrophins with similar functions whilst pregnancy-specific glycoproteins have evolved in primates, rodents, horses, and some bats, perhaps to support invasive placentation. Placental lactogens occur in rodents and ruminants as well as primates though evolved through duplication of different genes and with functions that only partially overlap. There are also placental hormones, such as the pregnancy-associated glycoproteins of ruminants, that have no equivalent in human gestation. This review focusses on the evolution of placental hormones involved in recognition and maintenance of pregnancy, in maternal adaptations to pregnancy and lactation, and in facilitating immune tolerance of the fetal semiallograft. The contention is that knowledge gained from laboratory and domesticated mammals can translate to a better understanding of human placental endocrinology, but only if viewed in an evolutionary context.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer891927
TidsskriftFrontiers in Endocrinology
Vol/bind13
Antal sider14
ISSN1664-2392
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 25. maj 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
I owe a great debt to the mentorship of the late Professor Allen C. Enders (1928-2022). He gave me the tools to develop my ideas about comparative placentation and was ever willing to answer the most naïve questions with patience and good humour.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Carter.

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