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Regulation of placental growth is a complex interplay of maternal and fetal genomes

Genome-wide association analyses of placental weight identify 40 association signals, partially overlapping with birth weight genetics. We find parent-of-origin effects and connections to placental development and morphology, and transport of amino acids and antibodies. Mendelian randomization reveals a fetal contribution to preeclampsia and implicates fetal insulin in the regulation of placental growth.

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Fig. 1: An overview of the main findings.

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This is a summary of: Beaumont, R. N. et al. Genome-wide association study of placental weight identifies distinct and shared genetic influences between placental and fetal growth. Nat. Genet. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-023-01520-w (2023).

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Regulation of placental growth is a complex interplay of maternal and fetal genomes. Nat Genet 55, 1786–1787 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-023-01519-3

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