Prenatal exercise in fetal development: a placental perspective.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology and developmental science.
• Metabolic and endocrine disorders.
• Exercise physiology.

Background:

• Maternal obesity (MO) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) negatively impact fetal development and offspring metabolic health.
• MO and GDM impair placental vascular development, nutrient transport, and oxidative capacity, affecting fetal growth.
• The placenta, an endocrine organ, secretes crucial signaling molecules (placentokines) that regulate maternal and fetal physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of maternal exercise in improving placental function under conditions of maternal obesity and GDM.
• To investigate the potential mediating roles of exercise-induced cytokines (exerkines) and placental hormones (placentokines) in exercise's effects.
• To highlight the need for further research on exercise interventions during pregnancy for optimal maternal and fetal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on maternal obesity, gestational diabetes, placental function, exercise, exerkines, and placentokines.
• Discussion of potential molecular mechanisms linking maternal exercise to placental and fetal development.
• Emphasis on rodent models and the need for human studies.

Main Results:

• Maternal obesity and GDM suppress placental oxidative capacity and nutrient transport, compromising fetal development.
• Physical activity during pregnancy shows potential to enhance placental oxidative metabolism and function.
• Exerkines and placentokines (e.g., apelin, irisin, adiponectin) are implicated as mediators of exercise benefits on placental and fetal health.

Conclusions:

• Maternal obesity and GDM pose significant risks to placental function and fetal development.
• Exercise interventions during pregnancy may offer a strategy to mitigate these risks by modulating placental function via exerkines and placentokines.
• Further research is crucial to elucidate these mechanisms and establish effective exercise guidelines for pregnant women, particularly those with obesity or GDM.