Environmental Impacts on Embryonic Cardiovascular Development and Embryo Implantation

Environmental physiology is a growing field that delves into how internal and external environmental factors influence physiological processes. Within this domain, the impact of environmental factors on embryonic cardiovascular development and embryo implantation has gained particular interest. Researchers are keen on unraveling how maternal stress, placental abnormalities, blood flow, and toxic exposures—amongst other factors—interact with developing cardiovascular systems. Recent advances in technology have allowed for sophisticated approaches, such as molecular imaging and computational modeling, providing a clearer understanding of complex interactions among cardiac tissues and environmental factors. Nonetheless, significant gaps remain in comprehensive understanding these impacts across different species, as well as in human, emphasizing the need for further interdisciplinary investigations.
This Research Topic aims to elucidate the intricate interplay between developmental insults and long-term cardiovascular health, including focusing on the groundbreaking field of the developmental origins of health and disease (DoHad). By addressing how specific stressors like high temperatures (heat stress) during pregnancy, maternal cortisol, hypoxia, and toxins influence cardiovascular development and embryo implantation, the research seeks to answer pertinent questions about these interactions. It aims to test hypotheses concerning the mechanisms by which developmental disturbances lead to cardiovascular dysfunction or malformation later in life. The overarching objective is to synthesize current insights with novel methodologies and emerging technologies to foster new perspectives and therapeutic possibilities.
To gather further insights in the comprehensive exploration of cardiovascular developmental challenges and implantation failure, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o The impact of maternal stress and cortisol on embryonic cardiovascular development
o The role of hypoxia and abnormal blood flow in congenital heart conditions
o Impact of environmental stress on embryo implantation
o Maternal and environmental factors in early embryo development
o Novel imaging and omics technologies in developmental cardiovascular research
o Inter-species comparisons in cardiovascular developmental adaptations
o Interdisciplinary studies within the DoHad framework focusing on cardiovascular outcomes
We encourage submissions in the form of reviews, original research, perspectives, and methodological advancements to build a rich collection of findings that advance our understanding of these crucial influences during early development.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Developmental adaptations, cardiovascular dysfunction, cardiovascular malformation, pathophysiology, embryo implantation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.