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Role of foetal adrenocorticotrophin during parturition in sheep

Nature volume 253, pages 274–275 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

IT is now well accepted that the lamb foetus plays an important role in the mechanisms which initiate its own delivery. This conclusion is based on several experimental observations. Foetal hypophysectomy or adrenalectomy delays parturition1,2; infusions of adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) or cortisol, which is the major glucocorticoid in this species, will precipitate premature delivery when infused into the foetus3; normal delivery is preceded by an increase in the concentration of corticosteroids in the foetal blood4,5 and an increased production of cortisol by the foetal adrenal6.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Pathology, St Bartholomews Hospital Medical College, London, EC1A 7BE

    LESLEY H. REES

  2. The Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK

    P. M. B. JACK, A. L. THOMAS & P. W. NATHANIELSZ

Authors
  1. LESLEY H. REES
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  2. P. M. B. JACK
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  3. A. L. THOMAS
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  4. P. W. NATHANIELSZ
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REES, L., JACK, P., THOMAS, A. et al. Role of foetal adrenocorticotrophin during parturition in sheep. Nature 253, 274–275 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/253274a0

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