Some scientists study cells, called primary human trophoblasts, that are isolated from placentas obtained after childbirth, but such cells do not divide, can be more difficult to obtain, and are more difficult to genetically manipulate to learn about biochemical pathways that have a role
in placental function, Dr. Coyne said.
Not exact matches
Some autopsy data shows that infants of smokers have signs of established hypoxic - ischemic cellular injury
in the brain and the heart which probably occurred
in antenatal life, may have been caused by suboptimal
placental function and may have been sub-clinical, but if the baby continues to be
in a vulnerable environment exposed to post-natal passive smoking, this could affect autonomic nervous system
function and lead to poor temperature control, and poor heart rate and respiration control.
A North Carolina State University - led research team has shown a connection between exposure to a widely used flame retardant chemical mixture and disruption of normal
placental function in rats, leading to altered production of the neurotransmitter serotonin.
New research reveals that
in pregnant women, Zika virus infection damages certain cells that affect
placental formation and
function.
Thus,
placental function appears to be affected differently for male or female offspring, potentially framing sex differences
in metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory responses (186).