Epigenetics and the placenta

Nelissen EC, van Montfoort AP, Dumoulin JC, Evers JL.

CONCLUSIONS:
Studies in both animals and humans have made it increasingly clear that proper epigenetic regulation of both imprinted and non-imprinted genes is important in placental development. Its disturbance, which can be caused by various environmental factors, can lead to abnormal placental development and function with possible consequences for maternal morbidity, fetal development and disease susceptibility in later life.

PMID:20959349
[PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

LINK – Hum Reprod Update. 2011 May-Jun;17(3):397-417. doi: 10.1093/humupd/dmq052. Epub 2010 Oct 19