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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
An adequatematernal nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for the health outcome of offspring in adulthood. Maternal undernutrition
during critical periods of fetal development can program the fetus for metabolic syndrome (MetS) later in life, especially when
postnatally challenged with a hypernutritive diet. Adipogenesis, which begins in utero and accelerates in neonatal life, is a major
candidate for developmental programming. During fetal development, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is extremely
susceptible to programming, and the HPA tone is increased throughout life in undernourished conditions. As a consequence, an
alteration in the expression and function of glucocorticoid (GC) receptors and of the major GC regulatory enzymes (11b-hydroxysteroid
dehydrogenase 1 and -2) occurs. In this review, we will give insights into the role of maternoplacental adverse interactions
under the specific context of maternal undernutrition, for later-in-lifeMetS development, with a special emphasis on the role of GCs.
Description
Keywords
Metabolic syndrome Maternal undernutrition Glucocorticoids Fetal developmental programming
Citation
CORREIA-BRANCO, Ana ; KEATING, Elisa ; MARTEL, Fátima - Maternal undernutrition and fetal developmental programming of obesity: the glucocorticoid connection. Reproductive Sciences. ISSN 1933-7205. Vol. 22, n.º 2 (2015), p. 138-145