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Sexual dimorphism in placental development and function: Comparative physiology with an emphasis on the pig
Claire Stenhouse1,2, Fuller W Bazer1, Cheryl J Ashworth2
1Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Molecular Reproduction and Development
|April 25, 2022
Summary
Male mammals are heavier at birth but face higher mortality, suggesting sex-specific placental adaptations drive these differences. Understanding placental function is key to improving piglet survival and litter sex ratios.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental biology
- Mammalian reproduction
Background:
- Fetal sex influences birth weight across mammals, with males typically heavier.
- Despite greater maternal investment, male fetuses exhibit higher stillbirth and preweaning mortality rates.
- Differential placental adaptation is hypothesized to orchestrate sex-specific developmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review fetal sex-specific differences in placental and endometrial structure and function.
- To emphasize differentially regulated pathways in pigs, including angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation.
- To highlight the importance of understanding fetal sex-placental-endometrial signaling for agricultural applications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on fetal sex differences in mammalian development.
- Focus on studies examining placental and endometrial adaptations.
- Emphasis on molecular signaling pathways such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation.
Main Results:
- Mammalian males are heavier at birth but experience higher mortality.
- Placental adaptation is a key factor in sex-specific fetal development.
- Specific pathways like angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proliferation show sex-based regulation.
Conclusions:
- Fetal sex significantly impacts placental development and function.
- Understanding these sex-specific adaptations is crucial for improving livestock production, particularly in pigs.
- Further research into placental and endometrial molecular signaling across gestation is warranted.
