Long-term effects of nutritional programming of the embryo and fetus: mechanisms and critical windows.

Full Abstract

The maternal nutritional and metabolic environment is critical in determining not only reproduction, but also long-term health and viability. In the present review, the effects of maternal nutritional manipulation at defined stages of gestation coinciding with embryogenesis, maximal placental or fetal growth will be discussed. Long-term outcomes from these three developmental windows appear to be very different, with brain and cardiovascular function being most sensitive to influences in the embryonic period, the kidney during placental development and adipose tissue in the fetal phase. In view of the similarities in fetal development, number and maturity at birth, there are close similarities in these outcomes between findings from epidemiological studies in historical human cohorts and nutritional manipulation of large animals, such as sheep. One key nutrient that may modulate the long-term metabolic effects is the supply of glucose from the mother to the fetus, because this is sensitive to both global changes in food intake, maternal glucocorticoid status and an increase in the carbohydrate content of the diet. The extent to which these dietary-induced changes may reflect epigenetic changes remains to be established, especially when considering the very artificial diets used to induce these types of effects. In summary, the maintenance of a balanced and appropriate supply of glucose from the mother to the fetus may be pivotal in ensuring optimal embryonic, placental and fetal growth. Increased or decreased maternal plasma glucose alone, or in conjunction with other macro- or micronutrients, may result in offspring at increased risk of adult diseases.

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Author information

Author/s: Symonds, Michael E (ME); Stephenson, Terence (T); Gardner, David S (DS); Budge, Helen (H);

Affiliation: Centre for Reproduction and Early Life, Institute of Clinical Research, University Hospital, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. michael.symonds(-atsign-)nottingham.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Reproduction, fertility, and development (Reprod Fertil Dev), published in Australia. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-; vol 19 (issue 1) : pp 53-63

Dates: Created 2007/03/29; Completed 2007/05/18; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 17389135, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adipose Tissue
Animals
Blood Glucose - metabolism
Blood Pressure
Dexamethasone - adverse effects; therapeutic use
Eating
Embryo, Mammalian - physiology
Female
Fetus - physiology

Fetus - physiology
Gestational Age
Humans
Hydrocortisone - metabolism
Kidney - embryology
Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications - metabolism
Rodentia

Associated Chemicals: Blood Glucose (0) ; Dexamethasone (50-02-2) ; Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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