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Advances in imaging feto-placental vasculature: new tools to elucidate the early life origins of health and disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2020

Yutthapong Tongpob
Affiliation:
School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA6009, Australia Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok65000, Thailand
Caitlin Wyrwoll*
Affiliation:
School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA6009, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Caitlin Wyrwoll, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA6009, Australia. Email: caitlin.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au

Abstract

Optimal placental function is critical for fetal development, and therefore a crucial consideration for understanding the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). The structure of the fetal side of the placental vasculature is an important determinant of fetal growth and cardiovascular development. There are several imaging modalities for assessing feto-placental structure including stereology, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, micro-computed tomography, light-sheet microscopy, ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review, we present current methodologies for imaging feto-placental vasculature morphology ex vivo and in vivo in human and experimental models, their advantages and limitations and how these provide insight into placental function and fetal outcomes. These imaging approaches add important perspective to our understanding of placental biology and have potential to be new tools to elucidate a deeper understanding of DOHaD.

Type
Review
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2020

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