The evolution of the human placenta / Michael L. Power and Jay Schulkin.

Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2012.

266 pages : illustrations, portrait ; 24 cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction. The evolutionary biology of placenta -- History of placental investigations -- The challenges of live birth -- Comparative mammalian placentation -- The evolution of human placenta -- Sex -- Genes, genetic regulation and retroviruses from the past -- Placenta as a regulatory organ -- Modern gestational diseases -- Summary and conclusions.