Semin Reprod Med. 2007 Jan;25(1):14-20.

The human fetal adrenal gland, corticotropin-releasing hormone, and parturition.
Beshay VE, Carr BR, Rainey WE.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA.

Labor initiation is a complex process that remains to be fully elucidated. An area of active research involves the study of the different mechanisms that may lead to successful signaling for parturition. This review focuses on the fetal-derived signals that lead to the initiation of labor. These signals may also play a role in preterm labor when activated prematurely. Studying these signals may prove important in the prediction, diagnosis, and possible intervention in preterm labor.