Messenger RNAs encoding FSH subunits are present in extragonadal reproductive tissues. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify CGA mRNA encoding the glycoprotein α subunit (A) and FSHB mRNA encoding the β subunit of FSH (B) in human tissues, as described in Materials and Methods. Human tissues from term pregnancy included uteroplacental tissue (U-P), placenta (P; maternal decidua and amnion removed), uterine decidua (Dec), and uterine myometrium (Myo). The HUVECs (H) were also analyzed. Human pituitary (Pit) was included as a positive control. Each panel represents data from one gel. In a given panel, spaces between images represent where one or more lanes containing irrelevant data were excised from the figure.