Life’s Vital Link: The Astonishing Role of the Placenta

Despite being one of the body’s most short-lived organs—arising at conception and dying at the birth of the baby—the placenta deserves to be considered among the most complex and important parts of the human body, argues Loke (Human Implantation, co-author) in this surprisingly delightful book. During its lifetime, the placenta fills many roles: it anchors the developing fetus in the womb; serves as its lungs, kidneys, and digestive tract; transfers waste products from the uterus to the mother; and produces hormones that manipulate maternal behavior in a way that benefits the fetus. Loke, an emeritus professor of reproductive immunology at the University of Cambridge, argues that the placenta has much more to offer in addition to these fascinating functions. Understanding placental growth patterns may shed light on the etiology of cancer; it could also help doctors combat the problem of tissue rejection in organ transplant patients. The placenta is even powerful enough to overcome the effects of time, in a way—post-menopausal women can bring a previously fertilized egg to term thanks to the placenta’s ability to control endocrine levels. Accessible enough for a general readership, Loke’s work provides the key to a truly unique world. 20 b&w illus. & glossary. (Aug.)