Fetus' mother and father's genes "fight" over food

[Alejo]

As I was doing my nightly rounds I found this article, which was interesting. Beyond the physiological and genetic role of genes and how amazingly designed they are, I found it rather interesting that there are genes that if left to their own devices they'd continue to run uninhibited until they could impede the proper functioning of the human body.

It reminded me of the concept of irreducible complexity, for one. And two, it reminded me of the how little we know and how arrogant we are as a species, when meddling with the genetic code of stuff, from our bodies through vaccinations or in our food.

"There is a tug-of-war going on, a battle of the sexes at the genome level," says lead author Miguel Constância.

A study led by scientists at the University of Cambridge (UK) found that during the growth of the fetus in the womb, a "battle of the sexes" occurs between genes inherited from the male and female for the supply of nutrients.

Using genetically modified mice, the experts identified a key signal that the fetus produces to stimulate the growth of blood vessels within the placenta that, in conjunction with other cellular modifications, allow a greater influx of nutritional substances, says research published Monday in the journal Developmental Cell.

That signal, known as IGF2, reaches the placenta through the umbilical cord. High levels of this protein are associated with increased fetal growth. It is expressed by activation of a gene inherited from the father. However, it is not the only protein that regulates the correct expansion of blood vessels. As seen in mice, there is another protein called IGF2R, which is expressed through the activation of a gene inherited from the mother.

"In our study, the father's gene drives the fetus's demands for larger blood vessels and more nutrients, while the mother's gene in the placenta tries to control the amount of food it provides. There is a tug-of-war going on, a battle of the sexes at the genome level," says lead author Miguel Constância.

Generally, in humans, IGF2 production increases dramatically between the middle and the end of pregnancy. Too much or too little of it can lead to problems before and after birth: babies that are too big or too small are more likely to suffer or even die at birth, and are at greater risk of developing diabetes and heart problems in adulthood, the University of Cambridge points out in a paper.

The physiology and biology of mice show many similarities to those of humans and have allowed researchers to model human pregnancy. This latest finding contributes to the understanding of how the fetus, placenta and mother communicate with each other during gestation.

Between 10% and 15% of babies show poor growth in utero and often reduced development of blood vessels in the placenta. Against this backdrop, the findings of Constância and her team could lead to ways to measure IGF2 levels in the fetus and find ways to normalize its levels or promote normal development of the placental vasculature.

And speaking of arrogance, the fact that a gene from the father has an effect on blood vessels and growth, and one from the mother is there to balance the former's function in order to achieve a balanced human being, just reminds me of the arrogance of the ideological public discourse that is becoming more and more popular where there's no such things as biological gender.

Our bodies certainly know better and our existence is a constant reminder of how wrong the current focus on gender dysphoria truly is.

 

[Alma.Innovadora]

I go a little further even Alejo, to call it "fight of sexes" as certain entertainment programs do is out of context, as if they wanted to give support precisely to that fight of genders scientifically distorted and that from nature is shown as simply each one is fulfilling its function in a balanced way. And I get this image of how it is reflected in reality, as the thoughts that today divide with these gender battles, are like the wrong nutrients that we give to our bodies and contribute to its imbalance generating those excesses or insufficiency that later accumulates another series of problems during our lives.

Thank you for publishing it, two days ago I saw it and rejected it just because of the title... which curiously also has its meaning.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a banner or a shirt at some point that says something like: The brain is reptilian and is man and the woman is heart because she feels and is love... so rip out your brain so it doesn't control the dominant male in you!