Glucocorticoid exposure altered angiogenic factor expression via Akt/mTOR pathway in rat placenta.

During pregnancy, glucocorticoids (GCs) are used for fetal lung maturation in women at risk of preterm labor. Exogenous GCs do not have exclusively beneficial effects and repeated use of GCs remains controversial. It has been observed that GC exposed rats have smaller placentas and intrauterine growth retarded fetuses.