Pituitary Hormones in the Tammar Wallaby Placenta
Author Information
Author(s): Menzies Brandon R, Pask Andrew J, Renfree Marilyn B
Primary Institution: Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
Hypothesis
Do marsupials express pituitary hormones in their placenta similar to eutherian mammals?
Conclusion
The study demonstrates that pituitary hormones are expressed in the marsupial placenta, suggesting an ancestral role for these hormones in mammalian reproduction.
Supporting Evidence
- The tammar wallaby placenta expresses growth hormones during the last third of gestation.
- Significant up-regulation of GH, GH-R, and IGF-2 was observed during the rapid growth phase of organogenesis.
- This is the first demonstration of pituitary hormones in the marsupial placenta.
- Placental expression of these hormones has been conserved in marsupials, indicating an ancestral origin.
Takeaway
This study found that the tammar wallaby's placenta makes important hormones that help the baby grow, just like in other mammals.
Methodology
The study involved isolating and analyzing the expression of pituitary hormones in the placenta of the tammar wallaby during late pregnancy.
Participant Demographics
Tammar wallabies from Kangaroo Island
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website