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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
14:40
Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
Fetal programming: Early-life modulations that affect adult outcomes
Nathan Drever1, George R Saade, Egle Bytautiene
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555-0587, USA. nsdrever@utmb.edu
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports
|July 10, 2010
Summary
Fetal programming influences asthma development through social, genetic, and environmental factors. Understanding these early-life exposures is key to preventing adult-onset asthma.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Immunology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Asthma prevalence is increasing globally.
- Genetic and environmental factors are known contributors to asthma.
- The developmental origins of adult disease (developmental origins of health and disease [DOHaD]) theory suggests early-life exposures impact adult health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the social, genetic, and environmental factors involved in fetal programming of asthma.
- To present recent laboratory findings supporting the role of fetal programming in asthma.
- To provide an updated perspective on fetal programming in asthma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on asthma and fetal programming.
- Analysis of social, genetic, and environmental risk factors.
- Presentation of original research data from the authors' laboratory.
Main Results:
- Social factors, genetic predispositions, and environmental exposures during gestation are linked to asthma development.
- Specific examples of early-life exposures and their association with asthma are discussed.
- Author's laboratory studies provide further evidence for these associations.
Conclusions:
- Fetal programming is a significant factor in the development of asthma.
- A comprehensive understanding of early-life influences is crucial for asthma prevention strategies.
- Further research into the mechanisms of fetal programming can lead to targeted interventions.
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