# FETAL NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, PARTURITION AND THE MYOMETRIUM

> **NIH NIH P01** · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $795,097

## Abstract

This program contains three integrated projects, three well established
scientific cores and two subcontracts that continue our testing of
hypotheses fundamental to our understanding of fetal neuroendocrine
maturation and parturition.  These hypotheses are related to fetal
neuroendocrinology, placental and fetal membranes as well as decidual,
myometrial and cervical regulation.  In parallel experiments we will
continue to utilize, chronically instrumented pregnant sheep and rhesus
monkeys.  We believe this program is unique in several aspects
(particularly in our focussed efforts to correlate and compare work in
ovine and nonhuman primate pregnancy).  In conjunction with our whole
animal studies, we now propose molecular biology approaches, in vitro
studies and sophisticated cellular techniques in addition to an expanding
repertoire of biophysical, biochemical, immunocytochemical, and
endocrinological methods developed through and since the previous funding
period.  We propose a multidisciplinary approach in which selected single
variables will be changed and results analyzed with appropriate
statistical techniques.

Project I continues our use of nonhuman primates to obtain a better
understanding of fetal neuroendocrinology and the myometrium.  It tests
the hypothesis that the fetus plays a major role in the initiation of
parturition in nonhuman primates using parallel mechanisms to those
demonstrated in sheep.  We have developed a multi-methodological approach
to test the hypothesis that the periodic switch from contractures to
contractions that we have demonstrated in two different nonhuman primates
is caused by changes in arachidonic acid metabolism of decidua and
myometrium, changes in receptors, expression of key genetic messages, and
ion channel function.  In addition, we hypothesize that similar changes
are responsible for normal cervical dilation.

Project II continues work performed in the previous funding period to
study fetal hypothalamic maturation in sheep.  In our previous period of
funding we demonstrated the critical role of the paraventricular nuclei
(PVN) in the initiation of parturition.  Project II will test the
hypothesis that catecholaminergic brain stem afferents and hippocampal
afferent inputs to the fetal ovine PVN play a key role in fetal responses
to hypoxemia and the initiation of labor.

Project III tests the hypothesis that alterations in expression of CRH
and AVP gene in the fetal PVN and changes in glucocorticoid feedback and
receptor population in the fetal PVN play important roles in fetal
hypothalamic maturation in relation to ACTH production that leads to
fetal adrenocortical development and subsequent parturition.

Prematurity and complications of delivery are major obstetric problems
with a profound effect on perinatal mortality and morbidity.  Prematurity
has a disproportionate effect on, and incidence in, minority women. Our
proposed experiments will define similarities and differences between
sheep and no...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198233
- **Project number:** 5P01HD021350-07
- **Recipient organization:** CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G56PUALJ3KT5
- **Principal Investigator:** PETER W. NATHANIELSZ
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $795,097
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-12-01 → 1998-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198233

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198233, FETAL NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, PARTURITION AND THE MYOMETRIUM (5P01HD021350-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198233. Licensed CC0.

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