Smith A, et al. – In order to figure out whether heightened maternal stress affected trophoblast function and increased the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, experts conducted this study. The physiological glucocorticoid, cortisol, inhibited two cytokines with roles in placental development and decreased trophoblast invasion, in first–trimester trophoblast cells. This study highlighted the potential of cortisol–associated changes in trophoblast function to increase the risk for immune–mediated abortion or other adverse pregnancy outcomes.