Objective: To investigate the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor type-1 in human placental tissues during caesarian operations.
Methods: IHC-SP staining and ISH methods were adopted to identify the expression patterns of CRH and its receptor CRH-R1 in the placenta taken from the women who had uncomplicated pregnancies. The placental tissues were collected after caesarian operations on the women with threatened labor.
Results: Positive expressions of both CRH and CRH-R1 messenger ribonucleic acid and peptide were found in the placental tissues, but the later was stronger (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The elevated level of placental CRH may be a trigger of the transcription of its own receptor CRH-R1 during caesarian operations. This positive feedback of CRH on its own receptor may represent a functional adaptation of human utero-plcental-fetal unit in responding to stress.