Human Placental
Trophoblasts
Impact of Maternal Nutrition

During fetal life, maternal nutrition plays a critical role in the programming of susceptibility to
adult disease. The placental supply of maternal nutrients to the fetus is critically important for fetal
growth and development. The placenta is the highly specialized organ of pregnancy that supports
the normal growth and development of the fetus. Apart from maternal nutrition status, the fetal
supply is influenced by placental surface area and availability of specific nutrient transporters on
the membranes. Therefore, the growth and function of the placenta are precisely regulated and
coordinated to ensure the optimum exchange of nutrients and waste products between the maternal
and fetal circulatory systems. In fact, more and more evidence suggests that placental growth and
function contribute to fetus growth and health outcome in adult life.