Fetal growth and placental function.
Fetal growth is largely determined by the availability of nutrients to the fetus. The fetus is at the end of a supply line that ensures delivery of nutrients from the maternal/uterine circulation to the fetus via the placenta. However, this supply line can not be regarded as a linear relationship. Maternal undernutrition will not only reduce global nutrient availability but will also influence the maternal and fetal somatotrophic axis. Both endocrine systems react in a very similar way to limited substrate supply. The hormones of the fetal somatotrophic axis, and in particular insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, are important regulators of fetal growth. Placental function is pivotal to materno-fetal nutrient and metabolite transfer. Placental function in turn, is heavily influenced by the maternal and fetal growth hormone (GH)-IGF-1 system. The placenta itself is also an active endocrine organ and it produces a large number of hormones including GH and IGF-1 as well their corresponding receptors. Thus the placenta can no longer be considered merely a passive conduit for fetal nutrition. Rather, it is actively involved in the integration of nutritional and endocrine signals from the maternal and fetal somatotrophic axes.
Bauer
M K
MK
Research Centre for Developmental Medicine and Biology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, New Zealand. m.bauer@auckland.ac.nz
Harding
J E
JE
Bassett
N S
NS
Breier
B H
BH
Oliver
M H
MH
Gallaher
B H
BH
Evans
P C
PC
Woodall
S M
SM
Gluckman
P D
PD
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone