Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice
11:10

Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamps in Conscious, Unrestrained Mice

Published on: November 16, 2011

Birth weight, infant growth and insulin resistance

Ken K Ong1, David B Dunger

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital Box 116, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. Ko224@cam.ac.uk

European Journal of Endocrinology
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Birth size and early growth impact survival and long-term health. Genetic and environmental factors interact, influencing growth and later disease risks like obesity and diabetes.

Area of Science:

  • Human genetics
  • Developmental biology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Birth size and early growth are critical for perinatal survival and predict long-term health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Fetal growth is influenced by a complex interplay of fetal genes and maternal-uterine-placental factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic and environmental influences on fetal growth and early postnatal development.
  • To examine the association of specific genetic variants, such as the insulin gene (INS) VNTR, with birth size and later health indicators.
  • To understand gene-environment interactions in early growth and their implications for adult disease risk.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC).
  • Analyzed the influence of maternal factors (parity, smoking, weight gain) and genetic factors (maternal and fetal genes, mitochondrial DNA variants) on fetal growth.
  • Assessed the association of the INS VNTR genotype with birth size, cord blood IGF-II levels, and postnatal growth parameters, including body mass index and insulin sensitivity.

Main Results:

  • Maternal genetic factors, including mitochondrial DNA 16189 variant and H19, particularly affect smaller, growth-restrained infants.
  • The fetal INS VNTR is associated with birth size and cord blood IGF-II, with effects more pronounced in the absence of maternal growth restraint.
  • Postnatal growth, especially rapid 'catch-up' weight gain after maternal restraint, predicts childhood obesity and insulin resistance, with INS VNTR class I alleles increasing obesity risk in these children.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic factors influencing early growth may have historical survival advantages but contribute to adult disease risk in environments with abundant nutrition and rising obesity.
  • Gene-environment interactions are crucial in early development, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to prevent adult disease progression.
  • Understanding these complex interactions is key to developing strategies for early intervention and disease prevention.

More Related Videos

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)08:13

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)

Published on: January 7, 2018

Differentiated Mouse Adipocytes in Primary Culture: A Model of Insulin Resistance09:48

Differentiated Mouse Adipocytes in Primary Culture: A Model of Insulin Resistance

Published on: February 17, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction01:26

Type II Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, in which target tissues such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue respond poorly to insulin. It is also associated with inadequate compensatory insulin secretion, where pancreatic β-cells fail to produce sufficient insulin. Together, these abnormalities lead to persistent hyperglycemia.EtiologyT2DM develops through a complex interaction of genetic predisposition and environmental or...
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.