Embryos, DOHaD and David Barker.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Reproductive Medicine
• Epigenetics

Background:

• The early embryo and periconceptional period represent a critical window where environmental exposures can induce lasting developmental changes.
• Evidence from animal models and human studies demonstrates that periconceptional conditions can lead to adult-onset diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review environmental in vivo and in vitro periconceptional models and their long-term outcomes.
• To examine the maternal-embryonic dialogue during early development that induces programming, using a rodent low protein diet model.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on periconceptional environmental exposures and developmental programming.
• Utilizing a rodent model with a maternal low protein diet restricted to the preimplantation period to study the induction of programming.

Main Results:

• Environmental factors during the periconceptional period can permanently alter developmental trajectories.
• Maternal-embryonic dialogue triggers cellular and epigenetic responses in the embryo, particularly in extra-embryonic lineages.
• Programming is associated with altered growth during pregnancy and increased risk of cardiometabolic and behavioral diseases in adulthood.

Conclusions:

• The early embryo is highly sensitive to environmental influences that can lead to developmental programming.
• Epigenetic modifications in response to periconceptional exposures play a key role in establishing long-term health risks.
• Understanding these early developmental processes is crucial for preventing adult-onset diseases.