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Perinatal environment and its influences on metabolic programming of offspring

Kellie L K Tamashiro1, Timothy H Moran

  • 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 720 Rutland Avenue, Ross 618, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States. ktamashiro@jhmi.edu

Physiology & Behavior
|April 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Maternal stress and high-fat diets during pregnancy can negatively impact offspring development, leading to metabolic conditions like obesity. These effects are linked to the developmental origins of health and disease concept.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Metabolic health

Background:

  • The intrauterine environment is critical for fetal development.
  • Adverse conditions in utero can lead to long-term health issues, as described by the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) concept.
  • Maternal factors like infection, nutrition, and stress can disrupt normal fetal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the consequences of prenatal stress and high-fat diet exposure on offspring metabolic health.
  • To explore the neuroendocrine and epigenetic mechanisms underlying metabolic programming.
  • To discuss outcomes related to obesity and metabolic conditions in offspring exposed to altered intrauterine environments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on studies investigating prenatal stress and high-fat diet effects.
  • Analysis of research on neuroendocrine and epigenetic pathways involved in metabolic programming.
  • Synthesis of findings on the link between intrauterine environment and offspring metabolic health.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal exposure to stress and high-fat diets is associated with increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders in offspring.
  • Neuroendocrine and epigenetic mechanisms play a significant role in mediating these long-term effects.
  • The DOHaD concept provides a framework for understanding these persistent pathological consequences.

Conclusions:

  • The intrauterine environment significantly influences offspring's long-term metabolic health.
  • Maternal stress and diet are critical modifiable factors impacting fetal programming.
  • Further research into epigenetic and neuroendocrine mechanisms is needed to develop targeted interventions.

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