Editorial: Maternal-fetal interface: new insight in placenta research

ABAD, CILIA; FARINA MARIANA; DAMIANO, ALICIA E.; MARIN, REINALDO

Frontiers in Endocrinology

Frontiers Media SA

Año: 2023 vol. 14

The placenta is a fascinating and ephemeral organ of life, which fulfils several functions to create and maintain optimal in utero conditions for fetal development and programming. During its short period of time in the intrauterine cavity, the fetus is dependent on the placenta as a lung, liver and kidneys. Functionally, the placenta is a highly specialized organ, which represents the interface between the mother and the fetus and is essential for fetal development and growth.Apart from enabling oxygen and nutrient exchange, the placenta produces various hormones, neurotransmitters and other factors that regulate fetal development. Extensive research over the last three decades has shown that a balanced interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors is critical and must be maintained during the whole period of gestation so that the architecture and programming of a growing fetus can develop properly. Nevertheless, physiological alterations or insults occurring during pregnancy (such as pathologies, medication, malnutrition) may disrupt this balance and lead to poor pregnancy outcomes. The timing of internal/external alterations in pregnancy will result in different effects on fetal development and/or programming.