Researchers have linked the depletion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in the placenta to the onset of labor in studies conducted on mice and human placentas.

How this affects you

This discovery could lead to new therapies for pregnant patients experiencing preterm labor, as current treatments are largely ineffective and normal gestational length is crucial for long-term infant health. Supplements containing NAD+ precursors were shown to prevent premature births in mice, indicating a potential pathway for human intervention.