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Human Fetal Nongonadal Tissues Contain Human Chorionic Gonadotropin/Luteinizing Hormone Receptors

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health (M.A.A., Z.M.L., X.L., S.T.N., Ch.V.R.), University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292; and Academic Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (N.G., E.J.), Royal Free and University College Medical School, London WC1 E6BT, United Kingdom

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Ch. V. Rao, Ph.D., Division of Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, 438 MDR Building, 511 South Floyd Street, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292. E-mail: crvrao001{at}gwise.louisville.edu; http://www.louisville.edu/medschool/obgyn/molrepro/.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone produced in abundance by placental syncytiotrophoblasts, is preferentially secreted into maternal circulation. Fetal circulation also contains low levels of hCG that are probably derived from fetal kidney, liver, anterior pituitary gland, etc. In addition, the fetus has access to hCG present in exocoelomic and amniotic fluids. hCG has been found in a number of fetal tissues known to stimulate fetal adrenal and testicular steroidogenesis and is also thought to play a role in growth and differentiation of fetal tissues. This led us to test the hypothesis that fetal nongonadal tissues, as in the adult, may also contain hCG/LH receptors. This hypothesis was tested by immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, in situ hybridization, and RT-PCR. The results demonstrate that kidney, liver, pancreas, lung, small and large intestines, and adrenals contained hCG/LH receptors. Although the role of fetal nongonadal hCG/LH receptors is not known, they may mediate the pleiotropic actions of hCG in the growing human fetus.

Abbreviations: d, Deoxy; hCG, human chorionic gonadotropin; SSC, sodium chloride/sodium citrate; TBS-T, Tris-buffered saline with Tween 20.

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