1. Relaxin
The Pregnancy Peptide

2. Background Info •Peptide hormone
•Secreted by corpus luteum in ovary; placenta and uterine lining during pregnancy
•Control of relaxin: luteinizing hormone from pituitary gland stimulates production in ovary
• human chorionic hormones released by placenta
•Carries out actions on reproductive system and other organs

3. Functions
•Relax uterus, inhibit contractions, prepare uterus for pregnancy
•Pregnancy levels rise; inhibits uterus contractions
•Regulate cardiovascular and renal systems: increase demand for nutrients
•Promotes rupture of placenta
•Widens and softens pelvic bone and cervix during labor; acts on pelvic ligaments

4. RELAXIN •LIKE BUILDING A PYRAMID
-as it gets taller, the base must be wider

5. Too Much and Too Little •Hyposecretion: may contribute to scleroderma
–skin thickens and hardens
–development of fibrosis and scarring on skin
•Hypersecretion: associated with premature birth
– rupture of fetal membrane
–opening of cervix
– more research needed

6. Works Cited
•"You & Your Hormones." You & Your Hormones. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Feb <
•"HPL, Relaxin, & Oxytocin." What to Epect: Pregnancy and Planning Every Step of the Way. What to Expect, n.d. Web. 08 Feb < health/pregnancy-hormones/hpl.aspx>.
•The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. "Relaxin (hormone)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 08 Feb <