Endocrine control of gestation in mammals: role of the novel steroid estradienolone (ED) in pregnancy

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The cellular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of pregnancy and parturition are complex and not well understood. We have discovered a novel steroid hormone in pregnant women which we have named ED. The biological properties of ED indicate that ED may play an important role in pregnancy maintenance. Our goal in the current proposal is to understand the mechanism by which this hormone acts during pregnancy. Like other hormones, ED is present only in small quantities in blood and urine. It is important to chemically synthesize ED so that large amounts are available for a wide variety of experiments. The chemical synthesis of ED requires determining the precise structure of ED. We propose to study how ED affects the fetus, placenta and how it is involved in the control of pregnancy. Knowledge gained from these studies may open ways to new discoveries for reducing early pregnancy losses and better management of pregnancy in animals and humans.