[Action of corticotropin-releasing hormone on its own receptor type-1 in human placenta].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor type-1 in human placental tissues during caesarian operations. METHODS IHC-SP staining and ISH methods were adopted to identify the expression patterns of CRH and its receptor CRH-R1 in the placenta taken from the women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. The placental tissues were collected after caesarian operations on the women with threatened labor. RESULTS Positive expressions of both CRH and CRH-R1 messenger ribonucleic acid and peptide were found in the placental tissues, but the later was stronger (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The elevated level of placental CRH may be a trigger of the transcription of its own receptor CRH-R1 during caesarian operations. This positive feedback of CRH on its own receptor may represent a functional adaptation of human utero-plcental-fetal unit in responding to stress.