Fetoplacental Circadian Rhythms Develop and Then Synchronize to the Mother In Utero

Abstract

Circadian rhythms in gene expression and hormones are ubiquitous across species and differentiated cell types, yet their developmental origins remain poorly understood. This study aimed to determine if daily rhythms can be detected in utero and if they synchronize to the mother. We developed methods to longitudinally monitor PERIOD2 (PER2), a core circadian clock protein, from embryonic day (E)8.5 to E17.5 by restricting PER2::LUCIFERASE expression to the mouse fetoplacental unit (fetus and fetal-derived tissues). In utero fetoplacental bioluminescence imaging showed that PER2 levels increased during pregnancy, with variable daily peak times that stabilized to early night by E15.5. Interestingly, pregnancies that did not exhibit daily in utero PER2 variation were more likely to fail. Because maternal glucocorticoids have been implicated in fetal development and synchronizing other circadian tissues, we tested whether glucocorticoid injections could shift fetoplacental PER2 rhythms in utero. Daily subcutaneous corticosterone injections over 5 days of late pregnancy phase-dependently shifted the fetoplacental PER2 rhythms in utero. Blocking glucocorticoid signaling in vitro reduced synchrony between maternal and fetal placenta. We conclude that in utero daily rhythms gradually develop and synchronize with the mother prior to birth, potentially through glucocorticoid signaling.