Pregnancy Disorders: A Potential Role for Mitochondrial Altered Homeostasis

Abstract

Pregnancy is a complex and challenging process associated with physiological changes whose objective is to adapt the maternal organism to the increasing energetic requirements due to embryo and fetal development. A failed adaptation to these demands may lead to pregnancy complications that threaten the health of both mothers and their offspring. Since mitochondria are the main organelle responsible for energy generation in the form of ATP, the adequate state of these organelles seems crucial for proper pregnancy development and healthy pregnancy outcomes. The homeostasis of these organelles depends on several aspects, including their content, biogenesis, energy production, oxidative stress, dynamics, and signaling functions, such as apoptosis, which can be modified in relation to diseases during pregnancy. The etiology of pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus is not yet well understood. Nevertheless, insufficient placental perfusion and oxygen transfer are characteristic of many of them, being associated with alterations in the previously cited different aspects of mitochondrial homeostasis. Therefore, and due to the capacity of these multifactorial organelles to respond to physiological and pathophysiological stimuli, it is of great importance to gather the currently available scientific information regarding the relationship between main pregnancy complications and mitochondrial alterations. According to this, the present review is intended to show clear insight into the possible implications of mitochondria in these disorders, thus providing relevant information for further investigation in relation to the investigation and management of pregnancy diseases.

Keywords: bioenergetics; fetal growth restriction; gestation; gestational diabetes mellitus; mitochondria; mitochondrial dynamics; oxidative phosphorylation; preeclampsia; pregnancy complications.

Figure 1

Manuscript selection flowchart.

Figure 2

Summary of the mitochondrial alterations associated with preeclampsia found in the reviewed articles.

Figure 3

Summary of the mitochondrial alterations associated with fetal growth restriction found in the reviewed articles.

Figure 4

Summary of the mitochondrial alterations associated with gestational diabetes mellitus found in the reviewed articles.