Introduction Fetal programming is an idea that specific periods of development can be effected by maternal stimulus that has long term effects. “Theory of Fetal Programming” originated from Dr. David Baker and his colleagues at the University of Southampton stating that early growth and development in utero has a strong impact on the offspring later in life. The main maternal stimulus, nutrition is the most important due to direct and indirect effects on the different stages of development. It was determined by Baker et al. (1994) that if maternal undernutrition was present in the first half of gestation and corrected mid gestation the offspring would have a normal body weight but experience health problems. After Baker presented this data
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The placenta adapts extremely well to the fetus not only by size to accommodate growth, but by optimizing nutrients and gas transport to ensure survival (Burton et al., 2012). During short term malnutrition the placenta will maintain fetal growth by autophagy (Alwasel et al., 2010). Autophagy is the process during stress when cells self-destruct for protein degradation to make new cells or recycling unnecessary cells to maintain homeostasis. Only extreme conditions or chronic malnutrition that jeopardizes the mother’s health will result in abortion of the …show more content…
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the hypothalamus contains parvocellular neurons synthesizes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) which will stimulate the anterior pituitary to synthesize and release adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) (Plotsky et al., 1993). Adrenocorticotropin hormones will stimulate the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol. Charmandari et al (2003), states the over excess of glucocorticoids can be harmful over long periods of time, which is why there is a negative feedback to the HPA to inhibit feedback when the glucocorticoid is no longer needed. In pregnant humans at risk of preterm delivery can be treated with synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) as late as 34 weeks of gestation to improve neonatal outcome (Kapoor et al., 2008). The reason that glucocorticoids are so effective in improving development is because the synthetic drug affects the receptors in the brain and pituitary where the HPA is located. The HPA axis interacts with many organs and pathways necessary in development. For example, sGC is known to improve lung development in premature infants reducing respiratory issues, renal and hepatic development (Kapoor et al., 2008 and Hoppe at el., 2007). Later it is mentioned that there are underdeveloped lungs leading to myocardia hypertrophy, so knowing the sGC can be given at specific windows of
The placenta adapts extremely well to the fetus not only by size to accommodate growth, but by optimizing nutrients and gas transport to ensure survival (Burton et al., 2012). During short term malnutrition the placenta will maintain fetal growth by autophagy (Alwasel et al., 2010). Autophagy is the process during stress when cells self-destruct for protein degradation to make new cells or recycling unnecessary cells to maintain homeostasis. Only extreme conditions or chronic malnutrition that jeopardizes the mother’s health will result in abortion of the …show more content…
The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the hypothalamus contains parvocellular neurons synthesizes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) which will stimulate the anterior pituitary to synthesize and release adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) (Plotsky et al., 1993). Adrenocorticotropin hormones will stimulate the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisol. Charmandari et al (2003), states the over excess of glucocorticoids can be harmful over long periods of time, which is why there is a negative feedback to the HPA to inhibit feedback when the glucocorticoid is no longer needed. In pregnant humans at risk of preterm delivery can be treated with synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC) as late as 34 weeks of gestation to improve neonatal outcome (Kapoor et al., 2008). The reason that glucocorticoids are so effective in improving development is because the synthetic drug affects the receptors in the brain and pituitary where the HPA is located. The HPA axis interacts with many organs and pathways necessary in development. For example, sGC is known to improve lung development in premature infants reducing respiratory issues, renal and hepatic development (Kapoor et al., 2008 and Hoppe at el., 2007). Later it is mentioned that there are underdeveloped lungs leading to myocardia hypertrophy, so knowing the sGC can be given at specific windows of