Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

3.0K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.0K
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

1.6K
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.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
1.6K
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

2.1K
The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle...
2.1K
Proliferative Phase01:20

Proliferative Phase

882
The proliferative phase typically occurs after menstruation and lasts between 6 to 13 days in a standard 28-day cycle. This phase involves the reconstruction of the endometrium, guided by estrogen produced by the developing ovarian follicle.
Notably, the stratum basale, the basal layer of the endometrium, including the basal parts of the uterine glands, remains unaffected by menstruation. Stem cells in this layer undergo mitosis, regenerating the stratum functionalis and thickening the...
882
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

1.9K
The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
1.9K
Histology of the Uterus01:19

Histology of the Uterus

2.2K
The uterine wall consists of three histological layers: the perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium. The outermost perimetrium is a thin, serous membrane connected with the broad ligament on the sides, which helps anchor the uterus in the pelvic cavity. The thickest layer, myometrium, is mainly made up of smooth muscle tissue bundles. Its contractions are vital in facilitating the expulsion of the uterine lining, fetus, and placenta during menstruation and childbirth.
The endometrium is the...
2.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

What outcomes are important to families with a lived experience of stillbirth? A qualitative study to inform the development of a core outcome set for stillbirth care.

PloS one·2026
Same author

"How do I navigate the joy and the grief at the same time?" - Mothers' postnatal experiences following care in a specialist pregnancy after loss clinic: A qualitative study.

Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives·2026
Same author

Maternal Haemoglobin and Haematocrit During Pregnancy and Stillbirth Risk: A Prospective, Population-Based Birth Cohort Study.

Paediatric and perinatal epidemiology·2026
Same author

Numbers and proportions of women giving birth in UK midwifery units since 2016: a secondary analysis of data reported to the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS).

Midwifery·2026
Same author

Emotional and Environmental Safety and Side Effects from Massage for Women Pregnant After a Stillbirth or Termination for Medical Reasons After 20 Weeks' Gestation.

International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork·2026
Same author

Care Bundles to Reduce Stillbirths and Improve Pregnancy Outcome.

Clinics in perinatology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks
09:33

Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks

Published on: March 29, 2018

9.9K

Morphological and functional changes in placentas from prolonged pregnancies.

Amber Carroll1, Michelle Desforges1, Carolyn J P Jones1

  • 1Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biological, Medical and Health, University of Manchester, UK.

Placenta
|January 21, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Prolonged pregnancy (beyond 42 weeks) may be linked to placental aging, causing reduced function and increased risks. Understanding these placental changes can improve management of post-term pregnancies.

Keywords:
AgeingApoptosisAutophagyOxidative stressPlacentaProlonged pregnancySenescence

More Related Videos

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.8K
Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus
06:55

Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus

Published on: December 5, 2015

13.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks
09:33

Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks

Published on: March 29, 2018

9.9K
The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo
12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

10.8K
Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus
06:55

Assessment of Maternal Vascular Remodeling During Pregnancy in the Mouse Uterus

Published on: December 5, 2015

13.7K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Perinatal Medicine
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Prolonged pregnancy, extending beyond 42 weeks' gestation, is linked to higher rates of perinatal mortality, neonatal issues, and Cesarean births.
  • The exact causes of these increased risks in prolonged pregnancies remain unclear, with placental aging proposed as a contributing factor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review structural and functional placental changes in prolonged pregnancies in both humans and animal models.
  • To explore the hypothesis that placental aging contributes to adverse outcomes in post-term pregnancies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on placental morphology and function in prolonged pregnancies.
  • Comparison of changes observed in human and animal models of prolonged gestation.

Main Results:

  • Prolonged pregnancies show reduced placental growth and an increased fetal-to-placental weight ratio.
  • Microscopic placental changes include syncytiotrophoblast nuclear aggregation, decreased villous vascularity, impaired trophoblast transport, and increased oxidative stress.
  • These changes, including cellular senescence, autophagy, and apoptosis, resemble those seen in fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.

Conclusions:

  • The observed placental changes suggest a process of aging, initially adaptive but potentially becoming pathological.
  • Placental aging may reduce placental function, providing a biological basis for increased risks in prolonged pregnancies.
  • Further research into placental aging could inform clinical management strategies for post-term pregnancies.