ALTERED PLACENTAL MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION OF THE PROGESTERONE BUT NOT THE ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY PREECLAMPSIA

Objective: To determine whether the mRNA expression of the progesteron e receptor (PR) or the estrogen receptor (ER) was altered in pregnanci es complicated with preeclampsia (PE), small for gestational age (SGA) , or PE with SGA. It has been indicated that not only estrogen but als o progesterone may influence the vascular system during pregnancy, alt hough the mechanism remains unclear. It has also been shown that the p lacentas from women with PE produce more progesterone than those from normal pregnancies. Methods: Tissue samples from the central part of f etal placenta were obtained immediately after delivery from 20 women w ith normal pregnancies, 11 women with PE, 8 women with SGA, and 6 wome n with both PE and SGA. Main Outcome Measures: Total nucleic acids wer e prepared and mRNA levels of PR and ER were measured by a solution hy bridization technique. Results: The mRNA levels of ER did not differ a mong the groups studied. The mRNA expression of PR was significantly h igher in the placentas with PE both with and without SGA than in norma l placentas. However, there was no change in the mRNA level of PR in t he group with SGA as a single entity. Conclusion: The observation of a n altered mRNA level of PR in PE with or without SGA could shed new li ght into regulation of the uteroplacental blood flow in this disease.