The haemodynamics of the human placenta in utero

Dellschaft, Neele S.; Hutchinson, George; Shah, Simon; Jones, Nia W.; Bradley, Chris; Leach, Lopa; Platt, Craig; Bowtell, Richard; Gowland, Penny A.

Abstract

© 2020 Dellschaft et al. We have used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide important new insights into the function of the human placenta in utero. We have measured slow net flow and high net oxygenation in the placenta in vivo, which are consistent with efficient delivery of oxygen from mother to fetus. Our experimental evidence substantiates previous hypotheses on the effects of spiral artery remodelling in utero and also indicates rapid venous drainage from the placenta, which is important because this outflow has been largely neglected in the past. Furthermore, beyond Braxton Hicks contractions, which involve the entire uterus, we have identified a new physiological phenomenon, the 'utero-placental pump', by which the placenta and underlying uterine wall contract independently of the rest of the uterus, expelling maternal blood from the intervillous space.

Citation

Dellschaft, N. S., Hutchinson, G., Shah, S., Jones, N. W., Bradley, C., Leach, L., Platt, C., Bowtell, R., & Gowland, P. A. (2020). The haemodynamics of the human placenta in utero. PLoS Biology, 18(5), Article e3000676. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000676

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 28, 2020
• Publication Date: May 28, 2020
• Deposit Date: May 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: May 28, 2020
• Journal: PLoS Biology
• Print ISSN: 1544-9173
• Electronic ISSN: 1545-7885
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: e3000676
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000676
• Keywords: General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Immunology and Microbiology; General Neuroscience; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4384822
• Publisher URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3000676
• Additional Information: Dellschaft NS, Hutchinson G, Shah S, Jones NW, Bradley C, Leach L, et al. (2020) The haemodynamics of the human placenta in utero. PLoS Biol 18(5): e3000676. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000676