Articles tagged with Placenta
A study of over 845,300 pregnancies found a three-fold higher risk of placenta praevia among mothers who had conceived both naturally and through ART. The increased risk may be directly related to reproductive techniques used, including embryo placement methods.
The Mayo Clinic study found a significant association between high levels of HtrA1 in placental tissues and severe preeclampsia. The findings may lead to the development of a blood test to track HtrA1 levels, enabling early detection and management of preeclampsia.
A Swedish study found that women with placentas weighing at least 700 g had a 38% increased risk of developing breast cancer compared to those with lighter placentas. Higher placental weight during pregnancy may reflect elevated hormone exposure, which can increase breast cancer risk.
Studies have found that monozygotic twin pregnancies can be complicated by a surprisingly high rate of fetal death despite intensive fetal surveillance. In one study, ten unexpected intrauterine deaths occurred in seven pregnancies with no prior signs of complications after 32 weeks' gestation.
The RELEASE study is a randomised clinical trial testing a new technique to treat retained placenta, aiming to improve outcomes for women in developing countries and the UK. The technique involves injecting oxytocin into the placenta via umbilical cord injection.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vaginal birth after a prior cesarean delivery poses relatively low risks. However, the study also revealed that women attempting vaginal birth after a cesarean delivery may face increased complications such as uterine rupture and infant brain oxygenation issues.
Researchers have discovered VAR2CSA, a protein that enables malaria parasites to infect the placenta during pregnancy. Women with high levels of antibodies against this protein experience fewer complications and give birth to healthier babies.
A conference is being held to discuss the increasing incidence of childhood leukaemia and potential environmental factors contributing to its rise. Research has shown that unborn children are particularly sensitive to exposure to environmental agents due to placental transfer from mother to child.
A defect in blood vessel formation due to the LBP-1a gene mutation can lead to growth retardation, spontaneous abortion, and infant death. The study found that embryos lacking LPB-1a had abnormally large and thin blood vessels, preventing nutrient exchange with the mother's blood.
Case researchers substantiated a bacterial link to preterm birth through mouse studies, finding that Fusobacterium nucleatum from the mouth can reach the sterile womb environment. Periodontal disease and pregnancy compromise the immune system, allowing bacteria to target the placenta.
A study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism found that fatty-acid oxidation is essential for the placenta to function efficiently and support fetal growth. The research could lead to new treatments for low-birth-weight or small babies.
Research reveals that genetic mutations can lead to structural changes in the placenta, causing fetal death or miscarriage. The study found that embryos with normal placentas but defective Rb genes can still be carried to term, suggesting a critical role of the Rb gene in placental development.
UC Riverside biologists present a model system for studying the evolution of complex organs using guppy-like fish. They find that placentas have evolved independently three times in closely related species, suggesting that they can emerge on a relatively short time scale.
A new study suggests that the placenta produces high levels of progesterone to interact with the sigma receptor, which disables the mother's immune system. This mechanism allows the fetus to survive without being rejected by the mother's immune system.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have made a breakthrough in gene transfer technology by inserting a jellyfish gene into rhesus monkey embryos, resulting in transgenic placentas that produce the desired protein. The study promises new insights into pathologies of pregnancy and has implications for human gene therapy.
A research team has found that the immune system protein Crry is essential for fetomaternal tolerance in mice, preventing destruction of the developing fetus. Without this protein, complement components activate, leading to embryonic death and miscarriage.
Elevated levels of corticipotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) may predict preterm delivery and shorter gestation lengths in pregnant women. The study found that higher CRH levels at 28-30 weeks gestation were associated with earlier deliveries and increased risk of preterm birth.
Scientists have grown healthy human placental cells in a laboratory using a new technique, providing a means to test the safety of drugs during pregnancy. The cells can survive and function like those in the womb, mimicking blood flow and nutrient exchange.
A recent study led by Professor Susan Fisher of the University of California at San Francisco found that low oxygen levels regulate cell proliferation in early pregnancy, controlling placental development. The team also discovered a process similar to cancerous growth occurs when cells invade healthy tissue under low-oxygen conditions.
Preeclampsia occurs when cytotrophoblasts fail to invade the uterine wall and mimic blood vessel cells, leading to high blood pressure and potential complications. Early detection through testing could save lives and prevent birth defects.