Postdate pregnancy: Changes of placental/membranes 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA and activity

b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (11b-HSD1 and 11b-HSD2) are involved in the complex mechanism of human parturition. The present study examined mRNA expression and activity of mem- brane 11b-HSD1 and placental 11b-HSD2 in postdate pregnancies according to response of labor in- duction. In comparison to postdate women who had spontaneous delivery or after induction the non- responders showed significantly low c and high 11b-HSD2 expression and activity These data suggest that disrupted expression and activity of 11b-HSDs may occur in some postdate pregnancies.