Dr Juneo Silva

The mother needs to metabolically adapt to support fetal nutrient supply and growth during pregnancy. The placenta which produces steroid and protein hormones with metabolic effects is thought to be central to this process. Despite this, work has been slow in the field due to the lack of suitable models to study placental endocrine function in vivo. In the lab, we have recently developed unique genetic models of selective placental hormone mis-production in mice. This project will use our new genetic models of placental hormone mis-production to assess impacts on maternal metabolic tissue structure, function and expression of genes and proteins governing nutrient handling during and after pregnancy. Findings will be related to fetal/offspring growth and development. The completed project will help to understand the link between placental function and maternal health during and after pregnancy.