The term
"placental function" refers to the important job that the placenta, which is an organ found in pregnant women, performs. The placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby in the womb, while also removing waste products and supplying hormones to support a healthy pregnancy. So,
placental function refers to how well the placenta is working to ensure the baby's growth and well-being during pregnancy.
Full definition
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.
Heather Patisaul, professor of biology at NC State, and her graduate student, Kylie Rock, wanted to know if FM 550 could sex - specifically impact the developing brain by
altering placental function.
These data show, for the first time, that flame retardants can have sex - specific effects
on placental functions critical for brain development.
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.
Lead researcher Ann Aschengrau, professor of epidemiology at BUSPH, said the study findings support a small body of prior research indicating that PCE exposure may
impact placental function and fetal growth.
Thus,
placental function appears to be affected differently for male or female offspring, potentially framing sex differences in metabolic, immunological, and inflammatory responses (186).
A double blind randomized clinical trial of 129 women found that chocolate
improved placental function and decreased the risk of preeclampsia.
While the biological mechanism by which exposure to pollution causes lower birth weights are not fully understood, the scientists speculate that several factors could play a role, including maternal inflammation,
altered placental function, and reduced nutrient delivery to the fetus, which may impede fetal growth.