Studies on the Effects of Hypoxia and Creatine Availability on Mitochondrial Dynamics During Pregnancy

Throughout gestation, the constant supply of oxygen and nutrients support fetal growth and development. Placental insufficiencies or intrapartum complications can compromise this oxygen supply and have catastrophic consequences on what was otherwise a healthy pregnancy. At a cellular level, multi-organ injury develops due to mitochondrial dysfunction. Creatine is an essential dietary metabolite and a cellular energy buffer with the potential to sustain mitochondrial health and prevent the adverse outcomes of these pregnancy complications. The primary focus of this thesis was to assess whether creatine supplementation mediates protection by supporting mitochondrial dynamics in the placenta and the fetus.