# PHYSIOLOGY OF RELAXIN

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF MED/DENT OF NJ-NJ MEDICAL SCHOOL · 1994 · $189,802

## Abstract

The purpose of this proposal is to further our understanding of the
actions and control of human relaxin in both genders.  Relaxin is a
product of the human corpus luteum of pregnancy and human decidua.  It
is hypothesized that relaxin is one of the regulators of maternal
homeostasis.  The effect of corpus luteum number and hCG concentrations
on circulating relaxin will be determined.  We hypothesize that the
hyperrelaxinemia seen in multiple pregnancies and after some
superovulation protocols is a cause of premature cervical ripening and
premature labor.  This hypothesis will be tested in triplet pregnancies
and pregnancies resulting from superovulation.  Determination of a
relationship between prematurity and hyperrelaxinemia may provide new
insights into the control and prevention of prematurity.

Relaxin may help prepare the pregnant women for parturition and nursing.
Proposed studies will determine the effects of relaxin on maternal
growth hormone and prolactin secretion.  Relaxin is present in human
milk.  The source and stimuli of milk relaxin secretion will be
determined.  The effect of potential stimulators and inhibitors of
decidual relaxin secretion will be determined in vitro.  The control of
relaxin secretion will be studied in hCG stimulated human luteinized
granulosa cells.

Relaxin is produced by the prostate gland, is present in seminal plasma
and stimulates sperm motility.  The mechanism of action of relaxin on
sperm will be determined by studying relaxin receptors and the effect of
relaxin on intracellular calcium and pH.

The efficacy of relaxin in improving pregnancy rate when added to
insemination media for intrauterine insemination will be determined.  We
hypothesize that this addition of relaxin will increase pregnancy rate
and provide a new physiologic therapy for male infertility.

These proposed physiological and clinical studies will increase our
understanding of the control of pituitary hormone secretion during
pregnancy, the role of relaxin in normal pregnancy, the control of
relaxin production, the pathological effects of its hypersecretion, the
mechanism of its action and its potential usefulness in the therapy of
male infertility.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198504
- **Project number:** 5R01HD022338-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MED/DENT OF NJ-NJ MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Gerson Weiss
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $189,802
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-01-15 → 1997-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198504

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198504, PHYSIOLOGY OF RELAXIN (5R01HD022338-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198504. Licensed CC0.

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