9407939 Talamantes Several peptides originally identified in the hypothalamus are also present in the placenta. One of these peptides is growth hormone-releasing hormone. The factors that regulate expression of the growth hormone-releasing hormone gene in the placenta and its function in the placenta are not understood. This project will address two basic questions: (1) what are some of the structural features in the mouse growth hormone-releasing hormone gene that regulate its expression in the placenta? and (2) does placental growth hormone-releasing hormone regulate the production of a group of hormones in the placenta which are known to play important roles in maintaining a successful pregnancy? The latter hormones include the placental lactogens. These questions are a logical extension of the very limited research that has been carried out in this field so far, and the information gained from this project will provide a good basis for future work in an area that could prove to be very important to understanding placental physiology. ***
