Placental structural adaptation to maternal physical activity and sedentary behavior: findings of the DALI lifestyle study.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Are maternal levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) in obese pregnant women associated with placental structural adaptations for facilitating oxygen delivery to the fetus?

Summary answer

Higher maternal MVPA and ST are associated with a higher density of villi, a proxy measure of placental surface area for oxygen delivery to the fetus, without further added placental vessels.

What is known already

Physical activity during pregnancy intermittently reduces uterine blood flow, potentially limiting placental and fetal oxygen supply. The placenta can mount several adaptive responses, including enlargement of the surface area of villi and/or feto-placental vessels to accommodate fetal needs. Early research on the morph

SUBMITTER: Zafaranieh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11776022 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature