Relaxin is a product of the human corpus luteum of pregnancy and is present in maternal serum throughout pregnancy. Relaxin is also produced by human decidua and is found in human semen plasma. Relaxin stimulates sperm motility and sperm penetration in cervical mucus. The objectives of the proposal are to further understand the roles and control of human relaxin. Monoclonal antibodies to human relaxin have been produced utilizing partially purified human seminal relaxin as immunogen. These antibodies will be utilized to purify seminal relaxin by immunoaffinity chromatography, establish a homologous radioimmunoassay for human relaxin, and identify translation products of mRNA from male and female reproductive tract tissues. Relaxin will be localized immunohistochemically in both male and female reproductive tissues. The relationship of relaxin to abnormalities of pregnancy such as diabetes and incompetent cervix will be observed. Relaxin concentrations will be correlated with abnormalities of semen analysis. The stimuli for seminal relaxin secretion will be studied in vivo using hCG and testosterone. Determination of relaxin production in human decidua will be done. A potential relaxin deficiency syndrome will be defined. The effect of relaxin on human sperm motility will be further clarified using computer-assisted measurement. The effect of relaxin on sperm penetration of zona-free hamster eggs will be studied. Anti-human relaxin antibodies will be used to block sperm motility and the action of relaxin on sperm. The mechanism of action of relaxin on semen will be studied by observing the effect of relaxin on cAMP levels and calcium uptake. Relaxin receptors will be studied. These studies will provide greater understanding of major reproductive mechanisms involved in pregnancy maintenance and fertility. Many of these studies can be translated into useful therapies of male infertility and pregnancy loss.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD022338-07
Application #
3321836
Study Section
Reproductive Endocrinology Study Section (REN)
Project Start
1986-01-15
Project End
1992-02-29
Budget Start
1991-03-01
Budget End
1992-02-29
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
605799469
City
Newark
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
07107
Morelli, Sara S; Petraglia, Felice; Weiss, Gerson et al. (2010) Endometrial expression of relaxin and relaxin receptor in endometriosis. Fertil Steril 94:2885-7
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson (2009) Relaxin in human pregnancy. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1160:130-5
Maseelall, Priya B; Seungdamrong, Aimee; Weiss, Gerson et al. (2009) Expression of LGR7 in the primate corpus luteum implicates the corpus luteum as a relaxin target organ. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1160:147-51
Weiss, Gerson; Goldsmith, Laura T (2005) Mechanisms of relaxin-mediated premature birth. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1041:345-50
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson (2005) Relaxin regulates endometrial structure and function in the rhesus monkey. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1041:110-7
Goldsmith, Laura T; Weiss, Gerson; Palejwala, Smita et al. (2004) Relaxin regulation of endometrial structure and function in the rhesus monkey. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:4685-9
McGovern, Peter G; Llorens, Amaury J; Skurnick, Joan H et al. (2004) Increased risk of preterm birth in singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer or gamete intrafallopian transfer: a meta-analysis. Fertil Steril 82:1514-20
Palejwala, Smita; Tseng, Linda; Wojtczuk, Andrea et al. (2002) Relaxin gene and protein expression and its regulation of procollagenase and vascular endothelial growth factor in human endometrial cells. Biol Reprod 66:1743-8
Weiss, G; Goldsmith, L T (2001) Relaxin and the cervix. Front Horm Res 27:105-12
Iams, J D; Goldsmith, L T; Weiss, G (2001) The preterm prediction study: maternal serum relaxin, sonographic cervical length, and spontaneous preterm birth in twins. J Soc Gynecol Investig 8:39-42

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