Intrauterine effects of impaired lipid homeostasis in pregnancy diseases

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Metabolic Science

Background:

• Lipids are essential for embryo, fetal, and placental development.
• Maternal diseases can disrupt lipid homeostasis, affecting fetal lipid concentrations.
• Imbalances in lipid transfer and metabolism impact intrauterine growth and offspring health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how various pathologies affect maternal-fetal lipid transfer and metabolism.
• To summarize the consequences of lipid impairments on fetal development and offspring health.
• To highlight the placenta's role in lipid transport and its susceptibility to maternal conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on lipid metabolism in pregnancy.
• Analysis of pathologies affecting maternal lipid homeostasis (e.g., placental insufficiency, malnutrition, obesity, diabetes).
• Synthesis of data on lipid transfer mechanisms and their impact on fetal growth and programming.

Main Results:

• Deficient or excessive lipid transfer impacts fetal growth, leading to restriction or overgrowth.
• Abnormal maternal lipid concentrations are linked to congenital malformations and developmental problems.
• Intrauterine lipid dysregulation can program metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in offspring.
• The placenta is a key site affected by maternal diseases, influencing fetal lipid exposure.

Conclusions:

• Maternal lipid homeostasis is critical for normal fetal development and long-term offspring health.
• Pathologies like obesity, diabetes, and malnutrition disrupt lipid metabolism, with significant developmental consequences.
• Understanding these lipid dynamics is crucial for preventing intrauterine programming of diseases.