Involvement of CRH and hCG in the induction of aromatase by cortisol in human placental syncytiotrophoblasts

Cortisol increases aromatase expression via induction of CRH and hCG production and subsequent elevation of cAMP level and enrichment of Sp1 at the aromatase promoter in human placental syncytiotrophoblasts. These findings may account for the parallel increases of cortisol and estrogen production prior to the onset of parturition.