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#placenta

7 public questions tagged with this topic.

Fertilization in mammals-ll

Syncytiotrophoblast contributes to formation of:

Upon implantation, trophoblast differentiates into mononuclear cytotrophoblast stem population and multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast formed by cell fusion mediated by endogenous retroviral syncytins. Syncytiotrophoblast directly invades maternal decidua, erodes vessels creating intervillous spaces filled with maternal blood, secretes chorionic gonadotropin sustaining corpus luteum, and forms outer layer of chorionic villi constituting fetal component of placenta. Its transporters facilitate nutrient glucose amino acid exchange. Thus syncytiotrophoblast underlies construction and maintenance of hemochorial placentation crucial for fetal support, immune tolerance, endocrine regulation throughout gestation and maternal-fetal communication.

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 12: Syncytiotrophoblast and development of hemochorial placental structure.

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Fertilization in mammals-ll

Trophoblast primarily contributes to:

Trophectoderm is outer epithelial layer of blastocyst specified when outer polar cells suppress Hippo kinases, allowing nuclear YAP and induction of Cdx2 transcription factor. This lineage does not contribute to fetus itself but differentiates into cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast that invade decidua, secrete human chorionic gonadotropin, and build chorionic villi of placenta. It establishes fetomaternal exchange interface providing nutrition, gas exchange, endocrine support and immune protection. Trophoblast commitment therefore underlies implantation, placental development essential for intrauterine fetal survival, growth, maternal adaptation and successful pregnancy maintenance throughout gestation.

Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 12: Trophoblast differentiation and placental lineage specification via Cdx2.

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