Inhibin and Activin Production in Human Placenta

摘要: Introduction IN 1985 and 1986, inhibin activin, respectively, were successfully isolated from follicular fluid of the ovary (1, 2). Since then, our understanding important roles these two new hormones in reproductive endocrine system has rapidly advanced (3–6). The physiological significance relationship between activin or its related peptides represents one most challenging interesting research areas endocrinology. Inhibin is a 32-kDa heterodimer glycoprotein composed an α-subunit β-subunits, termed A (α-βA) B(α-βB). Activin 24-kilodalton (kDa) homodimer consisting β-subunits. Three iso forms activins have been found with different combinations subunits, including (βA-βA), B(βB-βB), AB (βA-B) (1–4). These structurally display distinct functions regulation release FSH: selectively suppresses FSH secre...