The placenta as a neuroendocrine organ

John, Rosalind M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3827-7617 2024. The placenta as a neuroendocrine organ. Brunton, Paula J. and Grattan, David R., eds. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Mammalian Pregnancy and Lactation, Springer, pp. 21-63. (10.1007/978-3-031-51138-7_2)

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Abstract

Pregnancy is a unique situation, in which two (or more) individuals are in intimate contact, with development of the foetus supported by a specialised structure called the placenta. The placenta transports nutrients and waste, and provides a physical barrier between the maternal and foetal circulation. Importantly for this chapter, the placenta functions as an endocrine organ, synthesising hormones that flood the maternal circulation, inducing and maintaining the critical adaptations required for a successful pregnancy. While mammals have adopted different strategies to synthesise hormones in sufficiently high concentrations, and there are considerable variations in the nature of placental hormone gene families, the adaptations driven by placental hormones are conserved at a fundamental level. These adaptations include changes in behaviour of the mother to ensure that offspring receive appropriate care and nutrition. Experimental studies in rodents have identified placental hormones that contribute to the priming of this maternal behaviour. Studies in humans suggest that aberrant expression of placental hormones may contribute to the higher incidence of mood disorders associated with pregnancy. Hormones synthesised by, or dependent on, the placenta may also act directly on the foetal brain influencing neurodevelopment. Through this bi-directional signalling of hormones, the placenta has potential to influence both maternal and offspring behaviour. For these reasons, studies on placental endocrine lineage development are fundamentally important for our understanding of brain health.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Publisher:	Springer
ISBN:	9783031511370
Last Modified:	14 Jun 2024 15:59
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/169274

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