The Fetus and Birth -- Contents -- Introduction: a historical perspective -- Parturition in the sheep -- Discussion -- Dilatation of the uterine cervix -- Discussion -- The fetal role in timing the initlation of parturition in the goat -- Discussion -- The role and regulation of corticotropin in the fetal sheep -- Discussion -- General discussion Ultrastructure of the sheep placenta -- Endocrine relationships during late gestation and parturition in the cow -- Discussion -- Progesterone and oestrogen in pregnancy and parturition : comparative aspects and hierarchical control -- Discussion -- The 'see-saw' theory of parturition -- Discussion -- Fetal and maternal endo- crine changes during pregnancy and parturition in the rhesus monkey -- Discussion -- Endocrine regulation of fetal development and its relation to parturition in the rhesus monkey -- Discussion -- Endocrine and pharmacological factors which influence the onset of labour in rhesus monkeys -- Discussion -- The role of prostaglandins in parturition, with special reference to the rat -- Discussion -- Control of uterine contractility via cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase -- Discussion -- Human decidua and uterine contractility -- Discussion -- The fetal hypothalamus and pituitary in the initiation of labour -- Discussion -- The influence of the fetal hypo- thalamus and pituitary on the onset and course of parturition -- Discussion -- Fetal cortisol and the initiation of labour in the human -- Discussion -- Human parturition -- Discussion -- Final discussion -- Index of contributors -- Subject index.