Control of fetal metabolism: relevance to developmental origins of health and disease

摘要: Introduction Epidemiological observations in several human populations have shown that impaired growth utero is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular, metabolic and other diseases later life (Barker 2001). Since the major determinant fetal supply nutrients to fetus (Harding Johnson 1995), these epidemiological associations led hypothesis adult disease originates as a result nutritional programming tissues during early life. This has been investigated experimentally number species using range techniques manipulate nutrient availability (Table 10.1). These studies all support show prenatal environment long-term consequences for offspring, even when there little change body weight. Hence, factors controlling utilisation are important aetiology disease. However, compared postnatal metabolism, known about metabolism per se. The aims this review are, therefore, threefold: first, consider effects varying on metabolism; second, examine role hormones mediating effects; and, finally, discuss mechanisms by which may occur utero. Nutritional regulation depend specific nature challenge duration, severity gestational age at onset insult.