Determining the role of placental endocrine function in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus and its maternal metabolic long-term health consequences

In the UK, one in six women cannot control their blood sugar levels during pregnancy. This can lead to gestational diabetes (GDM) and predisposes mothers to type-2 diabetes (T2DM) years after delivery. Despite this, we lack information on what drives changes in maternal metabolism in pregnancy and how disruption to this process may lead to disease in later life. There is evidence that placental hormones can affect the metabolism of the mother. This project aims to examine, in a mouse model that has increased placental hormone production, if hormones from the placenta drive changes that lead to GDM and T2DM in the mother. It will use molecular methods to identify which hormones are involved and examine how they leave cellular memories in the mother that impacts her later risk of disease. This work will increase knowledge on the cause of GDM/T2DM and identify ways to prevent and treat metabolic diseases.