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Endocrine and metabolic programming during intrauterine development

Abigail L Fowden1, Dino A Giussani, Alison J Forhead

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. alf1000@cam.ac.uk

Early Human Development
|August 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight in humans can lead to adult metabolic dysfunction due to prenatal endocrine programming. This review explores how fetal growth retardation impacts key hormonal systems, affecting later-life metabolism.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Metabolic Health

Background:

  • Low birth weight is linked to increased adult metabolic dysfunction.
  • Metabolic disorders often have endocrine origins with abnormal hormone levels.
  • Suboptimal intrauterine conditions may program endocrine systems, leading to disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review experimental evidence for prenatal endocrine programming.
  • To focus on endocrine axes regulating growth and metabolism.
  • To examine the contribution of altered endocrine systems to later-life metabolic programming.

Main Methods:

  • Review of experimental studies on prenatal programming.
  • Emphasis on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
  • Consideration of the endocrine pancreas and somatotrophic axis.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports prenatal programming of endocrine systems by fetal growth retardation.
  • Alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, endocrine pancreas, and somatotrophic axis are observed.
  • These prenatal endocrine changes are implicated in adult metabolic dysfunction.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal endocrine programming is a significant factor in adult metabolic disease.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies for prevention and intervention.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term consequences of fetal programming.

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