43 Maternal-placental-fetal cross communication: impact on pregnancy outcomes and life-long health

Abstract The role of the placenta in delivering nutrients and oxygen to the fetus in order to support growth and development is well established. How these processes are regulated and how resulting placental functional changes contribute pregnancy pathology remains unclear. Pregnancy complications and pre-term birth are recognized as major contributors to life-long health risk. The placenta communicates to maternal organs and we have shown that placental exosomes are one factor modulating maternal insulin sensitivity. Maternal factors, such as adipokines, hormones and nutrients are critical signals to the placenta and modulate its’ growth and function. In obese mouse pregnancies, improving adiponectin levels was sufficient to restore appropriate placental function, fetal growth was normalized and long-term health of offspring dramatically improved. Using a mouse model of placental specific gene manipulation, we have reduced expression of placental nutrient transporters to demonstrate that specific nutrients such as essential amino acids and long chain poly unsaturated fatty acids play critical roles in overall fetal growth and brain development. Additionally, we have recently shown that the placenta releases factors that are likely involved in fetal angiogenesis, neurogenesis, lung, liver and pancreatic function. We have developed a working model in prematurely born guinea pig pups to demonstrate that placental factors are critical for successful fetal organ development. This opens up a potential therapeutic target for infants born early and have lost the contribution of the placenta. The presentation will focus on the importance of cross talk of mother- placenta- fetus for healthy outcomes at birth and life-long health.