What question did this study set out to answer?

Investigate how maternal stress affects placental iron transport and its implications for foetal programming and mental health.

February 17, 2026Open Access

Placental iron transport under maternal stress: a missing link in foetal programming and mental health

Key Points

Investigate how maternal stress affects placental iron transport and its implications for foetal programming and mental health.
Analyzed placental samples to assess iron transport mechanisms
Studied the relationship between maternal stress and foetal outcomes
Utilized biomarkers related to mental health for evaluation
Identified significant alterations in iron transport during maternal stress
Established connections between iron transport and mental health outcomes in offspring
Observed that stress impacts foetal development via altered placental functions

Abstract

This study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF grant no. 310030₁97408), the Swiss National Science Foundation via the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) TransCure, University of Bern, Switzerland (grant no. 51NF40₁85544) and the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC; grant no OC-2019-019). TF was supported by the Hans Sigrist Foundation, Switzerland.

Placental iron transport under maternal stress: a missing link in foetal programming and mental health

Key Points

Abstract

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