Abstract
I REPORT here evidence of a local morphogenetic action by the marsupial embryo or placenta on the uterus. The marsupial placenta is usually said not to be an endocrine organ and to have no influence on uterine changes during pregnancy. This assumption is based on the failure of pregnancy to extend the life of the active corpus luteum or to interrupt the oestrous cycle1,2. The gravid uterus of macropodid marsupials becomes larger than the contralateral, non-pregnant uterus, but this has been attributed to the bulk of the embryo occupying it, although observations by Flynn3 suggest otherwise. Evidence is given below that the two uterine horns of the wallaby, Macropus eugenii, are distinct in a number of ways, and that it is the presence or absence of the embryo which determines the differences.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sharman, G. B., Science, 167, 1221 (1970).
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., J. Reprod. Fertil., 23, 25 (1970).
Flynn, T. T., Proc. Linn. Soc. NSW, 55, 506 (1930).
Renfree, M. B., J. Reprod. Fertil., 22, 483 (1970).
von der Borch, S. M., J. Reprod. Fertil., 5, 447 (1963).
Tyndale-Biscoe, C. H., J. Reprod. Fertil., 6, 41 (1963).
Davis, B. J., Ann. NY Acad. Sci., 121, 404 (1964).
Krishnan, R. S., and Daniel, J. C., Science, 158, 490 (1967).
Daniel, J. C., and Krishnan, R. S., J. Exp. Zool., 172, 267 (1969).
Beier, H. M., Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 160, 289 (1968).
Beier, H. M., in Ovo-Implantation. Human Gonadotrophins and Prolactin (Karger, Basel and New York, 1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
RENFREE, M. Influence of the Embryo on the Marsupial Uterus. Nature 240, 475–477 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/240475a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/240475a0
This article is cited by
-
Transcriptomic changes in the pre-implantation uterus highlight histotrophic nutrition of the developing marsupial embryo
Scientific Reports (2018)
-
Characterisation of major histocompatibility complex class I genes at the fetal-maternal interface of marsupials
Immunogenetics (2015)
-
Ultrasonography of wallaby prenatal development shows that the climb to the pouch begins in utero
Scientific Reports (2013)
-
Placental expression of pituitary hormones is an ancestral feature of therian mammals
EvoDevo (2011)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.