Fetal growth and programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Fetal growth and programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
1. Epidemiological studies have shown that small size at birth is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and its risk factors, including hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
2. It is suggested that these observed links between low birthweight with disease result from an imbalance between fetal nutrient demand and supply. This imbalance results in metabolic and endocrine adaptations that benefit the fetus in the short term by reducing fetal growth and increasing fuel availability but, in the longer term, are maladaptive, leading to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
3. Experimental data in animals and recent human observations have suggested that an alteration in the set point of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is an important long-term change that occurs in association with reduced fetal growth.
4. These data raise the possibility that the nature and amplitude of the stress response may be determined by intra-uterine factors.
967-970
Phillips, David I.W.
29b73be7-2ff9-4fff-ae42-d59842df4cc6
2001
Phillips, David I.W.
29b73be7-2ff9-4fff-ae42-d59842df4cc6
Phillips, David I.W.
(2001)
Fetal growth and programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 28 (11), .
(doi:10.1046/j.1440-1681.2001.03558.x).
Abstract
1. Epidemiological studies have shown that small size at birth is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease and its risk factors, including hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
2. It is suggested that these observed links between low birthweight with disease result from an imbalance between fetal nutrient demand and supply. This imbalance results in metabolic and endocrine adaptations that benefit the fetus in the short term by reducing fetal growth and increasing fuel availability but, in the longer term, are maladaptive, leading to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.
3. Experimental data in animals and recent human observations have suggested that an alteration in the set point of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is an important long-term change that occurs in association with reduced fetal growth.
4. These data raise the possibility that the nature and amplitude of the stress response may be determined by intra-uterine factors.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 2001
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 25897
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25897
ISSN: 0305-1870
PURE UUID: 39ed60b5-3acd-4bfd-ab42-76d4340486f4
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 20 Apr 2006
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 07:06
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
David I.W. Phillips
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics