Relaxin and Related Peptides Fifth International Conference, Volume 1160

Relaxin is a protein hormone, produced and secreted during pregnancy in mammalian species, having superficial structural features resembling those of insulin. Since its initial isolation from the ovaries of pregnant pigs in 1976, increasing interest in relaxin has led to increased understanding of the chemistry, synthesis, secretion, biological roles, mechanisms of action, and potential clinical applications of relaxin in humans and domestic animals.This volume contains a description of recent advances and future research and clinical possibilities in the field of relaxin and related peptides.NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas.ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit www.nyas.org/membership/main.asp for more information about becoming a member.

O. David Sherwood, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Phillip A. Fields, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Bernard G. Steinetz, Nelson Institute of Environmental Science of New York University Medical Center, Tuxedo, New York, USA.