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Full-Text Articles in Medical Specialties
Role Of Decorin At The Fetal-Maternal Interface, Chidambra D. Halari
Role Of Decorin At The Fetal-Maternal Interface, Chidambra D. Halari
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The human placenta is an invasive tumor-like structure, this invasion being physiological. A subset of placental trophoblast called extra-villous trophoblast invades the uterine decidua and remodels uterine arteries into low-resistance, high-flow tubes to permit adequate flow of maternal blood to nourish the fetus. A poor extra-villous trophoblast invasion and uterine arterial remodeling can lead to fetal growth restriction and a serious pregnancy-associated maternal disease preeclampsia. Decorin, a leucine-rich proteoglycan produced by uterine decidual cells restrains multiple trophoblast functions: self-renewal and differentiation of trophoblast stem cells, migration, invasion, proliferation and endovascular differentiation. Additionally, decidual overproduction of decorin was associated with preeclampsia, …
Maternal Lifelong Western Diet Consumption Impacts Placental And Brain Development In The Term Guinea Pig Fetus, Carlene H. Cihosky
Maternal Lifelong Western Diet Consumption Impacts Placental And Brain Development In The Term Guinea Pig Fetus, Carlene H. Cihosky
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Both metabolic and cognitive dysfunction can originate from fetal reprogramming precipitating from adverse conditions experienced in utero. Of note is the western diet (WD), which is associated with maternal energy imbalances that may hinder fetal development through altered placental function. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a growth factor that supports the placenta and developing brain, is responsive to such energy imbalances. This study sought to investigate the impact of lifelong maternal WD consumption on fetoplacental development, focusing on relations between placental changes, and fetal growth and neurodevelopment in a guinea pig model. Maternal WD consumption resulting in a lean metabolically …