Fig. 1

The impact of corpus luteum number, through excessive or limited maternal RAAS activation during early gestation, on early hemodynamic and cardiovascular adaption, affecting utero-placental (vascular) development throughout pregnancy. Under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 37 °C), a small fraction of prorenin (≈1% or less) occurs in the so-called ‘open’ conformation, i.e., a conformation where the prosegment has moved out of the enzymatic cleft, thus allowing it to react with angiotensinogen to yield angiotensin I. Yet, the majority of prorenin is closed and inactive. Cleavage of the prosegment (also known as ‘proteolytic’ activation) occurs exclusively in the kidney, and depends on an as yet unidentified enzyme [16]. Abbreviations: RAAS = renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system