Short term tissue culture of human midterm and term placenta: Parameters of hormonogenesis

Abstract Monolayer cultures of human midterm and term placentae have been established following trypsin dispersion of placental minces. Maintenance of endocrine function was monitored by the concentrations of specific hormones in the culture media. At either gestational age the cultures 1) secrete estradiol-17β( 1 ) and estrone (in a ratio of about 1: 20) and aromatize 3 H- or 14 C-dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and 14 C-androstenedione, estrogen production being markedly enhanced by addition of dehydroepiandrosterone (10 −6 M) to the culture medium; 2) metabolize 3 H-pregnenolone to progesterone and 14 C-cortisol to cortisone; and 3) produce increasing amounts of chorionic gonadotropin and decreasing amounts of placental lactogen during the first week in culture. It is proposed that the model is highly suited to the study of factors affecting hormonogenesis by the human placenta whether they be of maternal or of fetal origin