Researchers at Cambridge have uncovered an intriguing mechanism in which fetuses utilize a paternal gene, Igf2, to influence their mother’s nutrient supply during pregnancy. This “remote control” system involves hormonal communication from the placenta, which adjusts the mother’s metabolism to enhance fetal growth. The findings highlight a nutritional “tug-of-war” where the fetus manipulates maternal resources to secure more nutrients, balancing its growth needs against the mother’s health.
The study revealed that paternal genes tend to promote fetal growth, while maternal genes work to limit it, ensuring the mother’s wellbeing and enabling future pregnancies. Deletion of the Igf2 gene in the placenta impaired nutrient allocation, leading to insufficient glucose and fat levels in the mother’s bloodstream, resulting in poor fetal growth. The research indicates that Igf2 also regulates other hormones linked to maternal insulin responses, impacting nutrient availability.
Published in Cell Metabolism, this work emphasizes the crucial role of the placenta in nutrient management and its lasting effects on offspring health. Future research aims to further explore how Igf2 controls placental hormones, potentially paving the way for strategies to enhance health outcomes for mothers and their babies.