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Fetal programming of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor axis
1Endocrinology and Metabolism Sub-Division, Fetal Origins of Adult Disease Division, School of Medicine, Southampton University, South Academic Block Level D (MP811), Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, SO16 6YD, Southampton, UK. righ@soton.ac.uk
Insights
Small body size in infancy links to adult chronic diseases like cardiovascular issues and osteoporosis. This may be due to fetal programming of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link small body size at birth and infancy to higher adult chronic disease rates.
- Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis are among the adult chronic diseases associated with low birth weight.
- Fetal programming of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis is a proposed mechanism for this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of fetal programming of the GH-IGF axis in the link between low birth weight and adult chronic diseases.
- To investigate abnormalities in the GH-IGF axis in relation to low birth weight and associated adult conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on birth size and adult chronic disease.
- Analysis of research on the GH-IGF axis, nutritional regulation, and fetal growth retardation.
- Examination of data from animal and human studies on GH-IGF axis programming.
Main Results:
- Small body size in infancy is associated with increased adult chronic disease risk.
- The GH-IGF axis is nutritionally regulated during fetal development, and growth retardation causes axis abnormalities.
- Abnormalities in the GH-IGF axis are observed in adult diseases linked to low birth weight.
- Evidence from animal and human studies suggests GH-IGF axis programming may occur.
Conclusions:
- Fetal programming of the GH-IGF axis is a plausible mechanism connecting low birth weight to adult chronic diseases.
- Nutritional regulation and potential programming of the GH-IGF axis during development are critical factors.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the role of the GH-IGF axis in long-term health outcomes.
Abstract:
Epidemiological studies have shown that small body size at birth and during infancy is associated with increased rates of chronic diseases in adulthood, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Fetal programming of the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) axis has been proposed as a potential candidate mechanism to explain the link between low birth weight and adult disease. The IGFs and IGF-binding proteins are nutritionally regulated in the fetus and fetal growth retardation leads to abnormalities in the GH-IGF axis. There are also abnormalities in the GH-IGF axis in many of the adult diseases that are associated with low birth weight, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Finally, there are data from both animals and humans suggesting that programming of the GH-IGF axis might exist.