Foetal experience: lifelong consequences.
Modification of the foetal environment has lifelong consequences for endocrine function and behaviour. Maternal stress through activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis can lead to increased anxiety levels and stress reactivity in offspring. Furthermore, these effects can pass across generations. The race is now on to understand the mechanisms involved and to find ways to prevent or reverse the effects of an "adverse" early environment in human populations.
Matthews
Stephen G
SG
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000196:embryology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000523:psychology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*