Endocrine Abstracts

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) is a potent antiproliferative/immunomodulatory steroid hormone with many applications outside calcium homeostasis. This is particularly true in the placenta which can generate 1,25D3 locally via the enzyme 1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27b) in both trophoblast and decidua. We have investigated the potential function of 1,25D3 across gestation using human tissue obtained after l...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) play a fundamental role in the endocrinology of pregnancy but excess GC in utero may lead to IUGR. Protection against fetal exposure to GCs is provided by the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11beta-HSD2) located in the placental trophoblast. By contrast, relatively little is known concerning the function of GC-activating 11beta-HSD1 which is expressed within maternal decidua. We have used human deciduas (n=32 first, n=10 second and n=...