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Placentae of small appropriately-grown-for-gestational-age neonates exhibit sexually dimorphic transcriptomic changes representative of placental insufficiency.
Ewing, Adam; O'Callaghan, Jessica L; McCracken, Sharon; Ellery, Stacy; Lappas, Martha; Holland, Olivia J; Perkins, Anthony; Saif, Zarqa; Clifton, Vicki L.
Affiliation
  • Ewing A; Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia.
  • O'Callaghan JL; Curtin Medical School, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
  • McCracken S; Women and Babies Research, Perinatal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Northern Sydney Local Health District Research (Kolling Institute), St Leonards, NSW, Australia.
  • Ellery S; The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
  • Lappas M; Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Mercy Hospital for Women, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne VIC, Australia.
  • Holland OJ; School of Medical Science, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia.
  • Perkins A; School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia.
  • Saif Z; Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia.
  • Clifton VL; Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia. Electronic address: vicki.clifton@mater.uq.edu.au.
Placenta ; 149: 37-43, 2024 Apr.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38492471
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

Previous studies have reported that neonates less than the 25th BWC especially if they were male, were more likely to be associated with birth complications suggesting small neonates often identified as appropriately grown are at risk of adverse outcomes. We have questioned whether smaller neonates not typically categorized as "small for gestational age" may not reach their genetically determined growth due to placental insufficiency.

METHODS:

RNA-Seq was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 600 using term placentae from neonates that were less than the 10th birthweight centile (BWC) (n = 39), between the 10th and the 30th BWC (n = 15) or greater than the 30th BWC (n = 23). Bioinformatic analyses were conducted and statistical significance was assessed at a level of P < 0.05 for single comparisons or FDR <0.05 unless otherwise noted.

RESULTS:

Gene set enrichment analysis revealed differences between BWC groups and in relation to the sex of the placenta. Genes associated with hypoxia, inflammatory responses, estrogen responsive genes, and androgen responsive genes were enriched (FDR <0.1) for in placentae of neonates <10th BWC regardless of sex and also in male placentae of neonates between the 10th-30th BWC. Female placenta of neonates between the 10th-30th BWC were comparable to placentae of neonates >30th BWC.

DISCUSSION:

These findings provide evidence that small male neonates may be at a greater risk of an adverse outcome than females due to changes in gene expression that are associated with placental dysfunction. The current data raises questions of whether placental pathology for smaller appropriately grown neonates should be scientifically and clinically examined in more depth.
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Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Placenta / Placental Insufficiency Limits: Female / Humans / Male / Newborn / Pregnancy Language: En Journal: Placenta Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Placenta / Placental Insufficiency Limits: Female / Humans / Male / Newborn / Pregnancy Language: En Journal: Placenta Year: 2024 Document type: Article Affiliation country: Australia