Patterns of secretion of human chorionic gonadotrophin by superfused placental explants and the embryo--placental relationship following maternal use of medications.

There is great concern regarding maternal exposure to medications, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy because of the possible teratogenic effects. In the present study we have examined the consequences of maternal drug exposure in vivo upon placental secretion patterns of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) and the relationship between the embryo and placenta in vitro. This was examined in samples obtained from various drug-exposed women following elective pregnancy termination at 8-9 weeks. The patterns of HCG secretion in superfused placental explants were different from those seen in control explants (without use of any medication). This was shown by changes in the pulse pattern and pulse frequency. In addition, the exposure of placental explants to various embryonic tissues modified HCG secretion in static cultures. In superfusion, co-perfusion with embryonic spinal cord tissue increased HCG secretion as opposed to that seen in similar incubations made with embryonic spinal cord tissue obtained from healthy women. Thus, our data suggest that maternal drug exposure alters both spontaneous hormone secretion by the placenta and the recently described embryo--placental relationship in vitro.