Estrogen Actions in Placental Vascular Morphogenesis and Spiral Artery Remodeling: A Comparative View between Humans and Mice

Abstract

Estrogens, mainly 17β-estradiol (E2), play a critical role in reproductive organogenesis, ovulation, and fertility via estrogen receptors. E2 is also a well-known regulator of utero-placental vascular development and blood-flow dynamics throughout gestation. Mouse and human placentas possess strikingly different morphological configurations that confer important reproductive advantages. However, the functional interplay between fetal and maternal vasculature remains similar in both species. In this review, we briefly describe the structural and functional characteristics, as well as the development, of mouse and human placentas. In addition, we summarize the current knowledge regarding estrogen actions during utero-placental vascular morphogenesis, which includes uterine angiogenesis, the control of trophoblast behavior, spiral artery remodeling, and hemodynamic adaptation throughout pregnancy, in both mice and humans. Finally, the estrogens that are present in abnormal placentation are also mentioned. Overall, this review highlights the importance of the actions of estrogens in the physiology and pathophysiology of placental vascular development.

Super-resolution imaging of urethral vasculature in healthy pre- and post-menopausal females

“…The study demonstrated significant differences in statistical parameters between the PreM and PostM groups ( Table S5 ). The absence of estrogen in the PostM group restricts the division and maturation of vascular endothelial cells, 25 leading to a decrease in the submucosal vessels in the urethra. Additionally, there were more vaginal deliveries in the PostM group than in the PreM group, which can cause damage to the urethral tissue and the blood vessels embedded in the tissue.…”

Initiierung und endokrine Kontrolle der Geburt bei Haussäugetieren – Teil 1

“…Im Einklang mit dieser Hypothese wurde nach Verabreichung eines Aromatasehemmers an trächtige Stuten, die zu einer erheblichen Reduktion der plazentaren Östrogenproduktion führte, eine Reduktion des Geburtsgewichts der Fohlen [49] sowie Veränderungen in der plazentaren Expression einiger Gene mit Bedeutung für die Angiogenese beobachtet [50]. Weiterhin gibt es Hinweise, dass die plazentaren Östrogene an der Regulation der plazentaren und uterinen Durchblutung beteiligt sind [51]. Allgemein ist die Vorstellung verbreitet, dass ein "Östrogenanstieg" am Ende der Gravidität zusammen mit dem präpartalen Progesteronabfall zu einer fortschreitenden Verschiebung des "Östrogen-/Progesteronverhältnisses" führt und schließlich das Überschreiten eines kritischen Schwellenwertes entscheidend für den Geburtseintritt sein soll.…”

Impact of ectopic calcification on vascular oxygenation in placental dysfunction models: Simultaneousin vivoassessment with multi-parametric ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging

“…Distinct regions of the murine placenta are shown in Fig 4a . The placenta is made up of maternal decidua, the fetal-derived junctional zone, and the meshed maternal-fetal vascular interface (labyrinth). 48 Figures 5b and 5c depict immunofluorescence staining in which blue is a stain for cell nuclei (DAPI), red indicates the endothelial cell marker CD31, and green is pimonidazole which is used to assess hypoxia. The CD31 signal (Figs.…”