Prenatal maternal stress alters placental serotonin system in a foetal sex dependent manner

Abstract : Prenatal maternal stress (PNMS) is associated with children neurodevelopmental disorders. Serotonin is a crucial hormone, produced and transported by the placenta, for fetal brain development. Stress is known to affect serotonin reuptake by the serotonin transporter (SERT). Placental type 2 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) protects the fetus by converting cortisol into inactive cortisone. Excess cortisol such as in PNMS is linked with serotonin-related pathological conditions (e.g. preeclampsia, autism), but the effect of PNMS on the placental serotonin systemhas never been studied.