Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health

The human placenta is a unique organ that forms under specific physiological conditions and plays a crucial role in nutrient and metabolite exchange between the mother and fetus. Research on the placenta is important for understanding maternal-fetal diseases. Traditionally, the placenta was consider...

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Main Authors: Zhuojun Xie, Zhongsheng Chen, Yang Chai, Wang Yao, Guangyu Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1544216/full
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author Zhuojun Xie
Zhongsheng Chen
Yang Chai
Wang Yao
Guangyu Ma
author_facet Zhuojun Xie
Zhongsheng Chen
Yang Chai
Wang Yao
Guangyu Ma
author_sort Zhuojun Xie
collection DOAJ
description The human placenta is a unique organ that forms under specific physiological conditions and plays a crucial role in nutrient and metabolite exchange between the mother and fetus. Research on the placenta is important for understanding maternal-fetal diseases. Traditionally, the placenta was considered “sterile,” but advancements in detection techniques have revealed the presence of a low level of microorganisms. This discovery challenges the traditional notion that the uterine placenta is sterile. The revelation of this truth marks a significant breakthrough in medical research, prompting more researchers to focus on this vital organ, the placenta. Placental microbial communities may originate from the oral, vaginal, and intestinal microbiota of expectant mothers. These microorganisms may reach the maternal-fetal interface, collectively shaping the placental microbiota and contributing to the composition of normal placental microbial communities. Abnormal placental microbial communities may be associated with some pregnancy complications and fetal developmental issues such as preterm birth, gestational hypertension, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Intervention strategies targeting microbial communities, which include modulation of placental microbiota composition or function, such as probiotics, may help prevent or treat complications related to abnormal placental microbiota during pregnancy.
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spelling doaj-art-8a7bc656edfe4d62a6f1c9eba3f43c062025-08-20T02:56:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-03-011610.3389/fphys.2025.15442161544216Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant healthZhuojun Xie0Zhongsheng Chen1Yang Chai2Wang Yao3Guangyu Ma4General Medicine Department, Clinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Colorectal Cancer Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, ChinaThe human placenta is a unique organ that forms under specific physiological conditions and plays a crucial role in nutrient and metabolite exchange between the mother and fetus. Research on the placenta is important for understanding maternal-fetal diseases. Traditionally, the placenta was considered “sterile,” but advancements in detection techniques have revealed the presence of a low level of microorganisms. This discovery challenges the traditional notion that the uterine placenta is sterile. The revelation of this truth marks a significant breakthrough in medical research, prompting more researchers to focus on this vital organ, the placenta. Placental microbial communities may originate from the oral, vaginal, and intestinal microbiota of expectant mothers. These microorganisms may reach the maternal-fetal interface, collectively shaping the placental microbiota and contributing to the composition of normal placental microbial communities. Abnormal placental microbial communities may be associated with some pregnancy complications and fetal developmental issues such as preterm birth, gestational hypertension, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Intervention strategies targeting microbial communities, which include modulation of placental microbiota composition or function, such as probiotics, may help prevent or treat complications related to abnormal placental microbiota during pregnancy.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1544216/fullinfant healthmaternal healthplacental microbiotapregnancy complicationssource of placental microbiota
spellingShingle Zhuojun Xie
Zhongsheng Chen
Yang Chai
Wang Yao
Guangyu Ma
Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
Frontiers in Physiology
infant health
maternal health
placental microbiota
pregnancy complications
source of placental microbiota
title Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
title_full Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
title_fullStr Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
title_full_unstemmed Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
title_short Unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota: implications for maternal and infant health
title_sort unveiling the placental bacterial microbiota implications for maternal and infant health
topic infant health
maternal health
placental microbiota
pregnancy complications
source of placental microbiota
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1544216/full
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