Stress und frühgeburt: Neuroendokriner hintergrund von akutem und chronischem stress als auslöser für eine frühgeburt

A role of placental hormones in the regulation of maternal and fetal physiology during pregnancy has been suggested. These placental hormones are chemically identical and as active as their hypothalamic/gonadal counterparts. These placental neurohormones act as factors to control the secretion of other regulatory molecules. One of these is corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). The secretion of placental CRF is autonomous, but increasing evidence indicates that maternal or fetal physiological and pathological conditions may influence such secretion. In the event of stress, the placenta takes part in a "stress syndrome" by releasing CRF into biological fluids of pregnancy since CRF may contribute to restoring local blood flow, influencing the timing of delivery, and activating labor with the aim of protecting the fetoplacental unit and helping the fetus to escape from a hostile environment. This article focuses on studies showing the role of CRF in stress conditions. CRF appears to play a role in coordinating adaptive changes in uterine perfusion, maternal metabolism, fluid balance, and possibly uterine contractility.