Scientists Discover Children’s Cells Living in Mothers’ Brains
WOW! Blown away by the discovery of children's cells in the blood and brains of their mothers after pregnancy!
This condition is called chimerism after the fire-breathing Chimera from Greek mythology, a creature that was part serpent part lion and part goat. Naturally occurring chimeras are far less ominous though, and include such creatures as the slime mold and corals.
Microchimerism is the persistent presence of a few genetically distinct cells in an organism. This was first noticed in humans many years ago when cells containing the male Y chromosome were found circulating in the blood of women after pregnancy. Since these cells are genetically male, they could not have been the womens own, but most likely came from their babies during gestation.
In this new study, scientists observed that microchimeric cells are not only found circulating in the blood, they are also embedded in the brain.
No wonder most mothers have such a deep and abiding bond with their children. They carry a part of them in their hearts and brains and blood forever.
Oh my! How very interesting!
I love that thought-- I'll have a piece of Peep with me forever!
(At the time when I was pregnant with him, I felt like I'd been invaded by a kicking alien... Little did I know it was true!)
We women are freaking amazing, aren't we? Our ability to assimilate and adapt to all the changes life throws at us continues to astound me.
Nice find JT!
He, he...I think I've seen this, on a more macro level...
;^)
Not only microchimerismsbut polymorphismstoo -- Chimeras and shapeshifters, oh my. Humans are a fantastic species.