Why do we need this research?
There are around seven stillbirths in the UK every day. It is crucial that we understand more about why stillbirths happen and what we can do to prevent them.
The most common cause of stillbirth is a failure of the placenta to provide the baby with the nutrients and oxygen it needs to grow. To find out why the placenta may fail, researchers sometimes perform experiments in female mice that are mated at 38–42 weeks old. These mice are classed as having an 'advanced maternal age' and usually have high stillbirth rates and abnormal placentas.
While these mice have helped scientists to understand more about how stillbirth occurs, they have such severe abnormalities that researchers can’t use them to test new therapies that might improve how well the placenta is functioning. We need a new way to test treatments that could prevent stillbirth.
What’s happening in this project?
In this project, Tommy’s researchers want to find out whether ‘moderately-aged’ mice – mated at 28–32 weeks – might be more helpful for testing new therapies to prevent stillbirth.
So far, our scientists have shown that these mice have aging, abnormal placentas and that their pups often do not grow as big as they should. These mice experience fewer stillbirths than the older mice. The team are now exploring the ways in which the placentas of these moderately-aged mice are failing, and then will test appropriate therapies to see if they can reduce stillbirth rates in these mice. They will combine the therapies with small molecules called placental homing peptides, which bind only to the surface of the placenta, ensuring that the therapies are delivered straight to where they are needed.
What difference will this project make?
This project will establish whether these ‘moderately-aged’ mice are useful for future research. Ultimately, the hope is that this will allow scientists to find new therapies that help the placenta to work more effectively, and so prevent stillbirth.
Join the fight against baby loss
Tommy's funds research across the UK investigating the reasons for miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. We can keep you updated on ways you can support our work. If you would like to join our fight against baby loss and premature birth, click here.
