# THE ROLE OF PLACENTAL LACTOGEN IN FETAL DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 1994 · $92,840

## Abstract

Placental lactogen (PL) has direct metabolic and somatotropic effects in
fetal tissues, suggesting that the hormone plays a role in the control of
fetal growth.  The biological actions of PL in the fetus are mediated, at
least in part, through the binding of the hormone to a distinct PL
receptor.  The overall objective of this proposal is to examine the
regulation f the PL receptor at the cellular level.  Initial studies will
examine the binding and processing of PL and its receptor in ovine fetal
hepatocytes and in ovine and human fetal fibroblasts.  Specific experiments
will determine the rates of internalization, degradation and recycling of
the radioligand and its receptor.  Subsequent studies will examine the
regulation of PL binding in fetal tissues by various hormones and growth
factors including insulin, the insulin-like growth factors, PL, thyroid
hormone, the glucocorticoids and the sex steroids.  Specific antisera to
the insulin and IGF-I receptors will be employed to determine whether the
effects of insulin on PL binding are mediated through the insulin receptor
or the IGF-I receptor.  The effects of IGF-II will be compared with those
of insulin and IGF-I in order to clarify the role of IGF-II and its
receptor in the regulation of PL binding.  The effects of PL on fetal IGF-I
and IGF-II production will be examined in fetal hepatocytes and fetal
fibroblasts, and specific experiments will determine whether the effects of
PL on fetal IGF production are potentiated by insulin and other hormones
that increase PL binding.  These studies should provide new information
about the physiology and regulation of the PL receptor and may clarify the
role of PL in the regulation of fetal somatomedin production.  Since PL
exerts metabolic and growth-promoting effects in fetal tissues, these
studies may provide new insight into the regulation of fetal metabolism and
the control of fetal growth.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199085
- **Project number:** 5R01HD024192-07
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TP7EK8DZV6N5
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL S. FREEMARK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $92,840
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-05-01 → 1996-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199085

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199085, THE ROLE OF PLACENTAL LACTOGEN IN FETAL DEVELOPMENT (5R01HD024192-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199085. Licensed CC0.

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