The following is a summary of “Maternal metabolism influences neural tube closure,” published in the September 2023 issue of Endocrinology and Metabolism by Keuls, et al.

Alterations in the nutritional availability of the mother, whether induced by diet or illness, are related to a large increase in the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs). NTDs are one of the highest significance in that we obtain a better knowledge of how altered quantities of maternal nutrients could impact the development of the neural tube in embryos since the prevalence of metabolic illnesses continues to grow. 

This is because metabolic disorders are becoming more and more common. In addition, preliminary neural development occurs before placental function during the period of histiotrophic food exchange. This happens before placental activity. This summary investigates how the yolk sac carries maternal metabolites to the developing fetus. 

These metabolites are necessary for the embryo’s continued growth. In this study, the researchers discuss recent breakthroughs in understanding how variations in the quantities of key nutrients in the mother might disrupt the establishment of the neuroepithelium in the developing embryo. In addition, they locate junction points between different metabolic pathways, which is essential for avoiding NTDs.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043276023001169