Mifepristone
From Embryology
Introduction
(RU 486) A progesterone receptor antagonist similar in structure to the natural hormone progesterone, which is used medically as a birth control drug. Commercial drug names include Mifegyne and Mifeprex.
Progesterone is a steroidal hormone of the progestogens class, which has many roles in the female. Functions include regulation of the menstrual cycle, uterine changes, maintaining pregnancy and effects on systems throughout the body. Biological sources include: adrenal glands, gonads (corpus luteum), brain, and placenta. Male progesterone has a suggested role in neural development. Progesterone is also used clinically as a part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women. The human progesterone receptor has two isoforms (PRA and PRB).
