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The transition from fetal growth restriction to accelerated postnatal growth: a potential role for insulin signalling

B S Muhlhausler1, J A Duffield, S E Ozanne

  • 1Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Sansom Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, Australia.

The Journal of Physiology
|July 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Small birth size and rapid postnatal growth are linked to insulin resistance. This study found fetal growth restriction increases insulin receptors in muscle, promoting accelerated growth post-birth.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal programming
  • Metabolic adaptation
  • Developmental origins of health and disease

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies link small birth size and rapid postnatal growth to adult insulin resistance.
  • Understanding the mechanisms behind accelerated postnatal growth after in utero growth restriction is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular basis for accelerated postnatal growth in lambs with intrauterine growth restriction.
  • To examine insulin and IGF1 receptor protein abundance and insulin signaling molecules in muscle.

Main Methods:

  • Quadriceps muscle samples collected from fetal and newborn lambs.
  • Comparison between normally grown (Control) and placentally restricted (PR) lambs.
  • Analysis of insulin receptor, IGF1 receptor, PKC, PI3Kinase p85, Akt1, Akt2, and GLUT4 protein abundance.

Main Results:

  • PR fetuses showed higher insulin and IGF1 receptor abundance but lower PKC and GLUT4.
  • At 21 days postnatal, PR lambs maintained higher insulin receptor levels.
  • Upregulation of PI3Kinase p85, Akt1, Akt2, and GLUT4 was observed in PR lambs post-birth.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal growth restriction leads to increased insulin receptor abundance in skeletal muscle.
  • This increase persists post-birth, associated with upregulated insulin signaling and glucose transporter GLUT4.
  • These adaptations in the fetus may explain accelerated postnatal growth in response to restricted placental supply.

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