Placenta changes could mean male offspring of older mums more likely to develop heart problems in later life, rat study finds

For Cambridge students For our researchers Business and enterprise Colleges and Departments Email and phone search Give to Cambridge Museums and collections Undergraduate - Events and open days Fees and finance Postgraduate - Postgraduate courses Fees and funding Frequently asked questions International students Continuing education Executive and professional education Courses in education How the University and Colleges work Visiting the University Equality and diversity Global Cambridge Public engagement Give to Cambridge - Changes occur in the placenta in older pregnant mothers leading to a greater likelihood of poor health in their male offspring, a study in rats has shown. With the average age of first pregnancy in women becoming higher and higher, especially in developed countries, it is very important to understand how the age of the mother and the sex of the baby interact to determine pregnancy and later-life health of the child. Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri Both male and female fetuses do not grow as large in older mothers, but there are sex-specific differences in changes to placental development and function. These are likely to play a central role in the increased likelihood of later-life heart problems and high blood pressure in males. In humans, women over 35 are considered to be of advanced maternal age. The study, published in Scientific Reports , looked at pregnant rats of a comparable age. In aged mothers, the placenta of female fetuses showed beneficial changes in structure and function that would maximise the support of fetal growth.
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