Uterine and Placental Biology

After successful fertilization, there is still an uphill battle to achieve a successful pregnancy. The embryo must successfully implant into the uterus, the dam needs to recognize the pregnancy, and the developing conceptus must generate a well-functioning placenta. Defects in any of these processes can lead to various complications, such as intra-uterine growth restriction, pre-eclampsia, and placental insufficiency, all of which can result in pregnancy loss. Because a plethora of embryonic, maternal, and environmental factors contribute to successful progression through the aforementioned processes, the mechanisms responsible for these defects are not thoroughly described. Members of CoRe use various model organisms to understanding the etiology of these defects in the hopes of mitigating pregnancy loss. Results from this research can be directly translated into developing new and fine tuning previously established therapies to prevent pregnancy complications and support healthy fetal development in utero.