Work

Programming placental nutrient transport capacity

Year: 2006

Type: review

Abstract: Many animal studies and human epidemiological findings have shown that impaired growth in utero is associated with physiological abnormalities in later life and have linked this to tissue programming during suboptimal intrauterine conditions at critical periods of development. However, few of these studies have considered the contribution of the placenta to the ensuing adult phenotype. In mammals, the major determinant of intrauterine growth is the placental nutrient supply, which, in turn, depends on the size, morphology, blood supply and transporter abundance of the placenta and on synthesis and metabolism of nutrients and hormones by the uteroplacental tissues. This review examines the regulation of placental nutrient transfer capacity and the potential programming effects of nutrition and glucocorticoid over-exposure on placental phenotype with particular emphasis on the role of the Igf2 gene in these processes.

Source: The Journal of Physiology

DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2005.104141

Authors: A. L. Fowden, J. W. Ward, F. P. B. Wooding, A. J. Forhead, M. Constancia

Institutions: University of Cambridge, Babraham Institute

Language: English

Topic: Birth, Development, and Health

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: green

Funder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council