Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
08:50
Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos
Published on: June 12, 2020
Evolution of invasive placentation with special reference to non-human primates
Anthony M Carter1, Robert Pijnenborg
1Department of Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, J B Winsloewsvej 21, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark. acarter@health.sdu.dk
Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|November 9, 2010
Summary
Human placentation is unique among mammals, with only Old World monkeys and great apes exhibiting a villous placenta. This evolutionary insight may illuminate the origins of pregnancy disorders like pre-eclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Reproductive biology
- Primate evolution
Background:
- Molecular phylogenetics provides a framework for understanding mammalian evolution.
- Human placentation exhibits unique characteristics compared to other primates.
- Understanding placental evolution can offer insights into pregnancy complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine human placentation within an evolutionary context.
- To compare placental development across different primate species.
- To investigate the evolutionary origins of pre-eclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of placental structures and invasion patterns in primates.
- Utilizing molecular phylogenetic data to establish evolutionary relationships.
- Reviewing existing literature on primate placentation and pre-eclampsia.
Main Results:
- Human placentation is distinct, with a truly villous placenta found only in Old World monkeys and great apes.
- Primate placentas vary in trophoblast invasion depth and interaction with the uterine wall.
- Deep trophoblast invasion, similar to humans, is observed in gorillas and chimpanzees.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of the human placenta is unique within the primate lineage.
- Shared placental traits between humans and great apes may indicate common evolutionary roots for pregnancy disorders.
- Further research into primate placentation could uncover the evolutionary basis of pre-eclampsia.
Related Concept Videos
02:26Non-vascular Seedless Plants
The diverse plant life on Earth—consisting of nearly 400,000 species—can be divided into three broad categories based on biological characteristics: nonvascular, seedless vascular, and seed plants.
01:23Phylogeny
Phylogeny is concerned with the evolutionary diversification of organisms or groups of organisms. A group of organisms with a name is called a taxon (singular). Taxa (plural) can span different levels of the evolutionary hierarchy. For instance, the group containing all birds is a taxon (comprising the class Aves), and the group of all species of daisies (the genus Bellis) is a taxon. Phylogenies can likewise include just one genus (i.e., depict species relationships) or span an entire...
02:31Synteny and Evolution
John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
01:17Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers
A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
02:55The Evidence for Evolution
Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
01:27Diversity of Protists II
Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...