Progesterone receptor expression in human decidua and fetal membranes before and after contractions: possible mechanism for functional progesterone withdrawal

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Abstract
In humans, progesterone levels are sustained before the onset of labour. Therefore, the mechanism for parturition that has been proposed for humans is ‘functional’ progesterone withdrawal. Immunohistochemical staining for the progesterone receptor (PR) was positive in the decidua with a decline after contractions began. Western blot analysis revealed a number of PR isoforms expressed in the decidua, with the PR-B form being dominant. After contractions began, all PR isoforms decreased sharply. PR-B and PR-A decreased by 85.8%±6.7 and 78.2%±7.1, respectively (P2α 1.0 μg/ml decreased the expression of all forms of PR isoforms. PR-B was reduced by 64%±6.09 (PPPPP<0.001).

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