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Human placental oxygenation in late gestation: experimental and theoretical approaches

Nye, Gareth A.; Ingram, Emma; Johnstone, Edward D.; Jensen, Oliver E.; Schneider, Henning; Lewis, Rohan M.; Chernyavsky, Igor L.; Brownbill, Paul

Human placental oxygenation in late gestation: experimental and theoretical approaches Thumbnail


Authors

Emma Ingram

Edward D. Johnstone

Oliver E. Jensen

Henning Schneider

Rohan M. Lewis

Igor L. Chernyavsky

Paul Brownbill



Abstract

The placenta is crucial for life. It is an ephemeral but complex organ acting as the barrier interface between maternal and fetal circulations, providing exchange of gases, nutrients, hormones, waste products and immunoglobulins. Many gaps exist in our understanding of the detailed placental structure and function, particularly in relation to oxygen handling and transfer in healthy and pathological states in utero. Measurements to understand oxygen transfer in vivo in the human are limited, with no general agreement on the most appropriate methods. An invasive method for measuring partial pressure of oxygen in the intervillous space through needle electrode insertion at the time of Caesarean sections has been reported. This allows for direct measurements in vivo whilst maintaining near normal placental conditions; however, there are practical and ethical implications in using this method for determination of placental oxygenation. Furthermore, oxygen levels are likely to be highly heterogeneous within the placenta. Emerging non-invasive techniques, such as MRI, and ex vivo research are capable of enhancing and improving current imaging methodology for placental villous structure and increase the precision of oxygen measurement within placental compartments. These techniques, in combination with mathematical modelling, have stimulated novel cross-disciplinary approaches that could advance our understanding of placental oxygenation and its metabolism in normal and pathological pregnancies, improving clinical treatment options and ultimately outcomes for the patient.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 18, 2018
Online Publication Date Feb 25, 2018
Publication Date 2018-12
Deposit Date Jan 24, 2025
Publicly Available Date Jan 24, 2025
Journal The Journal of Physiology
Print ISSN 0022-3751
Electronic ISSN 1469-7793
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 596
Issue 23
Pages 5523-5534
DOI https://doi.org/10.1113/jp275633
PMID 29377190

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