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Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
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The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research Through Single Cell Sequencing and Spatial Histology in Placental Tissues
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What is the placenta?

Graham J Burton1, Eric Jauniaux2

  • 1Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 3, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The placenta is a complex organ supporting fetal development by acting as fetal lungs, gut, kidneys, and liver. Recent research reveals a more interactive fetal-maternal dialogue, challenging traditional definitions of the placental interface.

Keywords:
deciduaendometriumextravillous trophoblastmaternal-placental interfacemicroribonucleic acidnatural killer cellsobstetrical dilemmapregnancyspiral arteriessyncytiotrophoblastuterine wallxenobiotics

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • The placenta is a vital organ supporting fetal development, acting as the fetus's lungs, gut, kidneys, and liver.
  • It exhibits significant endocrine functions, modulating maternal physiology and metabolism.
  • Placental form and function transform dramatically throughout pregnancy, influenced by environmental factors like oxygen levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the definition and understanding of the placenta based on recent scientific advances.
  • To explore the complex interactive dialogue between the placenta and maternal tissues.
  • To investigate novel mechanisms of fetal-maternal signaling and placental development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent research on placental development and function.
  • Analysis of cellular interactions between placental cells and maternal uterine tissues.
  • Examination of molecular signaling pathways, including exosomes and trophoblast nuclei.

Main Results:

  • The placenta actively stimulates its own development by up-regulating endometrial gland activity.
  • Extravillous trophoblast cells interact with the maternal innate immune system, leading to physiological remodeling of uterine spiral arteries.
  • Trophoblast cell deportation and exosome release challenge existing concepts of fetal-maternal signaling.

Conclusions:

  • The placenta engages in a more interactive and complex dialogue with maternal tissues than previously understood.
  • New findings necessitate a revised definition of the placenta and its interface with the mother.
  • Understanding these advanced interactions is crucial for comprehending normal and abnormal pregnancy outcomes.