TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-ALPHA, LIKE EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR, STIMULATES CELL-PROLIFERATION AND INHIBITS PROLACTIN SECRETION IN THE HUMANDECIDUAL CELLS IN-VITRO

In order to clarify the biological action of transforming growth facto r alpha (TGF-alpha) in the human decidua, we investigated the effects of TGF-alpha on cell proliferation and prolactin (PRL) secretion in cu ltured decidual cells in vitro. TGF-alpha had a stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis in decidual cells and an inhibitory effect on PRL secret ion from these cells. These results suggest that TGF-alpha, like epide rmal growth factor (EGF), may be one of the substances which regulate decidual function.