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Cited by 114Birth, Development, and HealthPregnancy and preeclampsia studiesGenetic Syndromes and Imprinting

Maternal-fetal resource allocation: Co-operation and conflict

Fowden, A.L., Moore, T.·2012·Placenta
DOI 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.05.002
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Abstract

Pregnancy is generally a co-operative interaction between mother and fetus in which the evolutionary genetic interests of both benefit from production of healthy offspring. While this view is largely supported by empirical data, Kinship Theory predicts that mother and fetus will disagree over the optimum level of maternal investment that maximises their respective fitnesses. This conflict will be more evident with polyandrous than monogamous mating systems, when resources are scarce and in late gestation when the fetus is growing maximally, particularly if conceptus mass is large relative to maternal mass. As the site of nutrient transfer, the placenta is pivotal in the tug-of-war between mother and fetus over resource allocation. It responds to both fetal signals of nutrient demand and maternal signals of nutrient availability and, by adapting its phenotype, regulates the distribution of available resources. These adaptations involve changes in placental size, morphology, transport characteristics, metabolism and hormone bioavailability. They are mediated by key growth regulatory, endocrine and nutrient supply genes responsive to mismatches between nutrient availability and the fetal genetic drive for growth. Indeed, evolution of genomic imprinting and placental secretion of hormones are believed to have been driven by maternal-fetal conflict over resource allocation. Although many of the specific mechanisms involved still have to be identified, the placenta confers optimal fitness on the offspring for its developmental environment by balancing conflict and cooperation in the allocation of resources through generation of nutrient transport phenotypes specific to the prevailing nutritional conditions and/or fetal genotype.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.placenta.2012.05.002

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  • The importance of the balance to the successful outcome of pregnancy depends on the total uterine mass relative to maternal body size both within and between species, and on the particular mix of nutrients required by the fetus(es) relative to the metabolic ability of the mother to supply these nutrients in the correct proportions and absolute amounts.

    “The importance of this balance to the successful outcome of pregnancy also depends on the total uterine mass relative to maternal body size both within and between species, and on the particular mix of nutrients required by the fetus(es) relative to the metabolic ability of the mother to supply these nutrients in the correct proportions and absolute amounts (193).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [193]

  • While the mother also benefits from resource investment, a balance must be struck as maternal investment in the current fetus leaves less reserves for future pregnancies.

    “While the mother also benefits from this resource investment as her genes too are transmitted to the next generation, a balance must be struck as maternal investment in the current fetus leaves less reserves for future pregnancies (193).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [193]

  • There is both co-operation and conflict between the mother and her fetus, and between siblings in litter-bearing species, in resource allocation at the placental interface.

    “There is, therefore, both co-operation and conflict between the mother and her fetus, and between siblings in litter-bearing species, in resource allocation at the placental interface (193).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [193]

  • The extent to which this strategy is successful in altering maternal-fetal resource allocation in favour of the mouse fetus depends on the actual nutritional and endocrine environment of the mother and on the mass, gestational age and genetic background of her litter.

    “However, the extent to which this strategy is successful in altering maternal-fetal resource allocation in favour of the mouse fetus depends on the actual nutritional and endocrine environment of the mother and on the mass, gestational age and genetic background of her litter (74,193,546).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [193]

  • This dynamic adaptation in placental phenotype optimises fetal fitness in the prevailing conditions while maintaining sufficient maternal resource for lactation and subsequent pregnancies.

    “This dynamic adaptation in placental phenotype optimises fetal fitness in the prevailing conditions while maintaining sufficient maternal resource for lactation and subsequent pregnancies (144, 193).”

    From Placental Origins of Chronic Disease (2016) · cites this paper as [193]

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Authors
Fowden, A. L., & Moore, T.
Affiliations
  • University of Cambridge (GB)
  • University College Cork (IE)
Corresponding author
Fowden, A.L.
ORCID
Venue
Placenta
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-11
Volume
33
Pages
e11-e15
ISSN
0143-4004 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.placenta.2012.05.002
OpenAlex
W1975485793
Cited by
114
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
5.01
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Placenta (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/I011773/1, BB/C513626/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Birth, Development, and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
Keywords
maternal-fetal conflict, resource allocation, kinship theory, maternal investment, polyandry, placental morphology, nutrient transport, genomic imprinting, placental hormones, fetal growth
MeSH terms
Animals, Female, Humans, Maternal-Fetal Exchange, Placenta, Placental Hormones, Pregnancy, Genomic Imprinting, Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Fetal Development

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