U.S. Department of Agriculture: Agricultural Research Service, Lincoln, Nebraska
Date of this Version
2000
Document Type
Article
Citation
Published in Life Sciences (2000) 66(11): pp. 104-1052.
Abstract
Dehydrogenase (cortisol to cortisone) and oxoreductase (cortisone to cortisol) activities of porcine placental 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase ( 11β-HSD) were measured in tissue fragment cultures on day 75 of gestation. Dehydrogenase activity was over fivefold greater than oxoreductase activity (p < .001). There were positive linear associations (p < .01) between net dehydrogenase activity (dehydrogenase minus oxoreductase) and fetal weight, fetal length, and placental weight. These data indicate a predominance of placental 11β-HSD dehydrogenase activity at this gestational stage that would insure a net conversion of cortisol to cortisone as it traverses the placenta. The data further suggest that 11β-HSD activities may provide an optimal glucocorticoid environment that is supportive of enhanced fetal and placental growth.