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Developmental Programming of Fetal Growth and Development

Lawrence P Reynolds1, Pawel P Borowicz2, Joel S Caton1

  • 1Department of Animal Sciences, Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy, North Dakota State University, NDSU Department 7630, Fargo, ND 58108-6050, USA.

The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Food Animal Practice
|May 20, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Maternal stress during pregnancy can cause developmental programming in offspring, increasing chronic disease risk. Research seeks strategies to optimize fetal development and improve offspring health and productivity.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Maternal stress impacts fetal development, leading to developmental programming.
  • Developmental programming is linked to chronic health issues in offspring, including metabolic syndrome and reproductive dysfunction.
  • These effects can persist across generations, impacting health, longevity, and productivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term consequences of developmental programming.
  • To explore management and therapeutic strategies for optimizing fetal development.
  • To mitigate negative health outcomes in offspring resulting from maternal stress.

Main Methods:

  • This research is primarily theoretical, focusing on current scientific literature and existing data.
  • It involves analyzing the mechanisms linking maternal stressors to fetal programming.
  • The study synthesizes information on chronic disease development and intergenerational effects.

Main Results:

  • Developmental programming due to maternal stressors significantly elevates offspring's risk for chronic pathologies.
  • These pathologies include metabolic syndrome, growth abnormalities, and various dysfunctions (reproductive, immune, behavioral, cognitive).
  • Consequences extend throughout the offspring's life and can impact subsequent generations.

Conclusions:

  • Developmental programming poses a significant threat to offspring health, longevity, and productivity.
  • Optimizing fetal growth and development is crucial for overcoming these negative impacts.
  • Developing effective management and therapeutic strategies is essential for improving offspring health outcomes.

Keywords:
DevelopmentDevelopmental programmingFetusGrowthMaternal stressPlacentaPostnatal health

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