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Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model
08:08

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

Published on: June 18, 2013

Programming placental nutrient transport capacity

A L Fowden1, J W Ward, F P B Wooding

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. alf1000@cam.ac.uk

The Journal of Physiology
|January 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Poor fetal growth due to placental issues can lead to later-life health problems. This review explores how placental function, influenced by nutrition and hormones, impacts fetal development and adult health.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Reproductive medicine
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to adult physiological abnormalities.
  • The placenta's role in IUGR and adult phenotype is understudied.
  • Placental nutrient supply is a key determinant of fetal growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the regulation of placental nutrient transfer.
  • To examine programming effects of nutrition and glucocorticoids on placental phenotype.
  • To emphasize the role of the Igf2 gene in placental programming.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of animal studies and human epidemiology.
  • Analysis of placental development and function.
  • Focus on nutrient transport and hormonal influences.

Main Results:

  • Placental nutrient supply is regulated by its size, morphology, and transporter abundance.
  • Maternal nutrition and glucocorticoid exposure can alter placental phenotype.
  • The Igf2 gene plays a significant role in placental development and nutrient transfer.

Conclusions:

  • The placenta is crucial in mediating the link between intrauterine conditions and adult health.
  • Placental programming by nutrition and hormones can have long-term consequences.
  • Targeting placental function, potentially via Igf2, may offer strategies to prevent adult diseases.

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