Perinatal development of human circadian rhythms: role of the foetal biological clock.
The development of circadian rhythms and the neuronal mechanisms underlying their generation (particularly the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus) were reviewed. Based on perinatal animal studies and data from human foetuses and/or preterm infants it was concluded that human circadian rhythms are present as early as at 30 weeks of gestation. The significance of the mother and/or the environment regarding the entrainment of the "endogenous" foetal biological clock was emphasized.
Mirmiran
M
M
Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Amsterdam.
Kok
J H
JH
Boer
K
K
Wolf
H
H
D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans