Selected Grantee Publications

Impaired Placental Hemodynamics and Function in a Non-Human Primate Model of Gestational Protein Restriction

Lo et al., Scientific Reports. 2023.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-28051-y

Maternal malnutrition is a global health epidemic that adversely affects fetal outcomes and results in long-term health complications in children. Investigators used a previously developed model in nonhuman primates for gestational protein restriction to study the impact of undernutrition, specifically protein deficiency, on placental function and pregnancy outcomes. The data demonstrate that a 50% protein-restricted diet reduces maternal placental perfusion, decreases fetal oxygen availability, and increases fetal mortality. These alterations in placental hemodynamics could partly explain human growth restriction and stillbirth seen with severe protein restriction in developing countries. Supported by ORIP (P51OD011092) and NICHD.