Abstract
SummaryIn order to determine what factors of the fetal hypothalamo‐hypophysial system can stimulate fetal body and placental growth, various compounds were tested. Fetal brain extracts, α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and growth hormone (GH) were injected directly into 19‐day‐old intact or brain‐aspirated rat fetuses. Fetal and placental weight were determined on day 21. In addition, the effects of the operation and injection procedure itself on fetal and placental weight were established.Increased placental weight was produced in brain‐aspirated fetuses by α‐MSH or GH, and in intact fetuses by GH and fetal brain extracts. Increased fetal weight was produced by α‐MSH in brain‐aspirated fetuses. These results suggest a possible role for GH and α‐MSH in placental growth, and for α‐MSH in fetal growth.
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