Open AccessFirst trimester mechanisms of gestational sac placental and foetal teratogenicity: a framework for birth cohort studies
Author(s) -
Jennifer J. Adibi,
Alexander J. Layden,
Rahel L. Birru,
Alexandra S. Miragaia,
Xiaoshuang Xun,
Megan Smith,
Qian Yin,
Marisa E. Millenson,
Thomas G. O’Connor,
Emily S. Barrett,
Nathaniel W. Snyder,
Shyamal Peddada,
Rod T. Mitchell
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
human reproduction update
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.977
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 1362-4946
pISSN - 1355-4786
DOI - 10.1093/humupd/dmaa063
Subject(s) - placenta , teratology , mechanism (biology) , pregnancy , obstetrics , medicine , fetus , bioinformatics , biology , genetics , philosophy , epistemology
The function of the gestational sac (GS) and the placenta in the closely related processes of embryogenesis and teratogenicity in the first trimester has been minimally described. The prevailing assumption is that direct teratogenic effects are mediated by the critical extraembryonic organ, the placenta, which either blocks or transfers exposures to the foetus. Placental transfer is a dominant mechanism, but there are other paradigms by which the placenta can mediate teratogenic effects. Knowledge of these paradigms and first trimester human developmental biology can be useful to the epidemiologist in the conduct of biomarker-based studies of both maternal and child health.