Oxidative stress and the evolutionary origins of preeclampsia

Michael G. Elliot*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this speculative paper, I consider the relationship between oxidative stress and the evolution of placentation in eutherian mammals. I argue that epitheliochorial placentation, in which fetal tissues remain separated from maternal blood throughout gestation, has evolved as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress arising from pregnancy, particularly in species with unusually long gestation periods and unusually large placentas. Human beings comprise an unusual species that has the life history characteristics of an epitheliochorial species, but exhibits hemochorial placentation, in which fetal tissues come into direct contact with maternal blood. I argue that the risk of preeclampsia has arisen as a consequence of the failure of human beings to evolve epitheliochorial placentation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-80
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume114
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr-2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Preeclampsia
  • Hemochorial placentation
  • Epitheliochorial placentation
  • Oxidative stress
  • INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION
  • PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION
  • HUMAN PLACENTAL DEVELOPMENT
  • EUTHERIAN MAMMALS
  • CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE
  • LIPID-PEROXIDATION
  • HUMAN BRAIN
  • BLOOD-FLOW
  • OXYGEN
  • SUPEROXIDE

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