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Perinatal development of human circadian rhythms: role of the foetal biological clock
1Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam.
Insights
Human circadian rhythms, or internal biological clocks, are present by 30 weeks of gestation. Maternal and environmental factors help entrain this fetal biological clock.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms are fundamental biological processes.
- The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the master circadian pacemaker.
- Understanding the development of these rhythms is crucial for perinatal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of circadian rhythms in humans.
- To explore the neuronal mechanisms generating these rhythms.
- To determine the earliest presence of human circadian rhythms.
Main Methods:
- Review of perinatal animal studies.
- Analysis of data from human fetuses.
- Examination of data from preterm infants.
Main Results:
- Human circadian rhythms are established by 30 weeks of gestation.
- The suprachiasmatic nucleus plays a key role in generating these rhythms.
- Maternal and environmental factors influence the fetal biological clock.
Conclusions:
- Circadian rhythms are present much earlier in human development than previously thought.
- The development of the fetal biological clock is influenced by external cues.
- Further research into perinatal circadian rhythms is warranted.
Abstract:
The development of circadian rhythms and the neuronal mechanisms underlying their generation (particularly the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus) were reviewed. Based on perinatal animal studies and data from human foetuses and/or preterm infants it was concluded that human circadian rhythms are present as early as at 30 weeks of gestation. The significance of the mother and/or the environment regarding the entrainment of the "endogenous" foetal biological clock was emphasized.