How Assisted Reproduction Impacts Placenta and Child Growth: Key Insights
Assisted Reproduction: A Window into Child Development
A groundbreaking study sheds light on how Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) influences child development, specifically through changes in the placenta. Differences between pregnancies from frozen and fresh embryo transfers reveal insights into gene function linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Infertility and ART: The Numbers Speak
Did you know that one in six couples faces infertility?
Globally, over 10 million children have been conceived using ART, with more than 5% of children in Finland born this way annually. While ART-conceived children are typically healthy, they carry a slightly higher risk of
- Growth disturbances
- Cardiovascular issues
- Metabolic challenges
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
What Causes These Risks?
The root causes remain unclear. Are these risks tied to ART procedures or parental subfertility? To answer this, researchers at the University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital analysed placentas and newborns from 80 ART pregnancies and 77 natural pregnancies, considering ART methods and the baby’s sex for the first time.
The Placenta: A Vital Organ in Development
The placenta plays a crucial role in fetal development, acting as a bridge between mother and fetus.
Associate Professor Nina Kaminen-Ahola emphasizes its significance:Â “The placenta offers a unique window into early developmental stages, which are otherwise difficult to study in humans.”
Frozen Embryo Transfers: Closer to Natural Pregnancies
A key finding revealed that frozen embryo transfers mimic natural pregnancies more closely than fresh embryo transfers. Here’s why:
- Fresh Embryo Transfer: The IVF-fertilized embryo is transferred directly into the uterus during an artificial hormone surge.
- Frozen Embryo Transfer: The embryo is frozen and later transferred during the mother’s natural cycle.
Studies, including this one, show that placentas and children from fresh embryo transfers tend to be smaller than frozen transfers. Changes in metabolism and growth were particularly linked to placentas from fresh embryo transfers.
A Gene Linked to Obesity and Diabetes
The study also revealed altered function in the DLK1 gene, which regulates metabolism and is associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Reduced expression of this gene was observed in ART placentas and in pregnancies from subfertile couples who conceived naturally.
Interestingly, previous research in mice highlights the importance of DLK1 in maternal fasting responses during pregnancy, essential for fetal growth. Its silencing has been linked to lower birth weight in both mice and humans.
“The role of this gene in subfertility and rising metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes needs further exploration,” says Kaminen-Ahola.
Why More Research Matters
While this study provides valuable insights, it highlights the need for:
- Larger sample sizes to examine the effects of ART methods, subfertility, and the baby’s sex.
- Long-term studies to understand the lifelong impact of ART on children’s health and development.
The Bottom Line
Assisted reproduction has revolutionized fertility treatments, but understanding its effects on children’s health is crucial. As science delves deeper into ART’s impact, future parents can make informed decisions for their growing families.
Source: Inputs from various media SourcesÂ
