Effect of adrenomedullin on placental and ovarian function

肾上腺髓质素（AM）是最近从人嗜铬细胞瘤中分离到的一种新型血管松弛肽。AM被发现可以调节心血管系统，这表明AM在控制孕妇血液流动方面也有重要作用。本研究旨在探讨AM在妊娠期间可能参与的人类母体循环和胎盘功能。妊娠期间母体血浆循环和胎盘功能中的AM浓度。采用抗人AM兔血清，采用高敏感特异性放射免疫分析法（RIA）测定母体血浆中AM的浓度。孕妇血浆中免疫反应性(ir)-AM水平在妊娠早期为3.4 * 0.7 fm ol/mI（平均* SEM），妊娠中期为3.3 * 1.1，妊娠晚期为7.3 * 2.8。产褥期早期4.1 * 1.9，非妊娠期3.0 * 0.4。妊娠晚期Ir-AM水平明显高于其他时期。血浆雌二醇（E2）、孕酮浓度。用RIA试剂盒测定人胎盘乳原（hPL）和人绒毛膜促性腺激素（hCG）。为了证明AM与胎盘功能之间的相关性，我们采用免疫组织化学和Northern blot分析方法检测了AM在胎盘中的表达。我们利用克隆的人AM互补DNA作为探针，发现了AM在足月羊膜中的免疫组化位置和AM mRNA在人胎盘组织中的表达。本研究是证实妊娠期母体血浆中hAM的免疫反应性的报道，提示AM在母体循环和胎盘发育中具有AM的生理功能。

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a noved vasolelaxtant peptide recently isolated from human phenochromocytoma. AM is found to regulate the cardiovascular system, suggesting that AM has also an important role in the control of blood flow in pregnant women. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible involvement of AM in human maternal circulation and in placental function during pregnancy. AM concentrations in maternal plasma circulation and in placental function during pregnancy. AM concentrations in maternal plasma were measured by a highly sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for AM using anti-human AM rabbit serum. Immunoreactive (ir)-AM levels in maternal plasma were 3.4 * 0.7 fm ol/mI (mean * SEM) in the first trimester, 3.3 * 1.1 in the second trimester, 7.3 * 2.8 in the third trimester. 4.1 * 1.9 in early puerperium and 3.0 * 0.4 in non-pregnant periods. Ir-AM level in the third trimester was significantly greater than those in other periods. Plasma concentrations of estradio1 (E2), progesterone .(P), human placental lactogen (hPL) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were also measured by RIA kits. Significant correlations have been demonstrated between the concentrations of ir-AM and those of E2, P.IIPL.So we examined the expression of AM at placenta by using immunohistochemistry and Northern blot analysis in order to demonstrate the correlation between AM and placental function. We found the immunohisrochemical location of AM in the amnion at term and the expression of AM mRNA in human placental tissues using cloned human AM complementary DNA as probe.The present study is the report demonstrating the immunoreactivity of hAM in maternal plasma during pregnancy, and suggesting the AM possesses the physiologic functions of AM in the maternal circulation and in the development of placenta.