Understanding the molecular control of placenta formation, the organ which enables fetal growth, is critical in diagnosing and treating related pregnancy complications. A group of scientists at the ...

In mammals, signalling between the placenta and the embryo is essential for successful development. Here, a quantitative, time-resolved model describes the coordinated formation of the mouse embryo ...

Sexual selection enhances opportunities to mate, the tail of male peacocks being an iconic example. Biologists have found that sexual selection and 'placentation' -- the formation of a placenta -- are ...

Well-timed interaction of correctly functioning maternal immune cells is essential to facilitate healthy placenta formation, as the uterine immune environment has to tolerate the semi-allogeneic fetus ...

The amniotic sac is a water-tight sac that forms around the fertilized egg. It helps cushion the growing embryo throughout pregnancy. The placenta also develops at this point in the first trimester.

We owe a lot to our moms—and if you happen to have a penis, there’s now yet another reason to phone home on Mother’s Day. According to a study published today in the journal PLoS Biology, a human ...