title: Glucocorticoids and fetal programming part 1: Outcomes.
abstract: Fetal development is a critical period for shaping the lifelong health of an individual. However, the fetus is susceptible to internal and external stimuli that can lead to adverse long-term health consequences. Glucocorticoids are an important developmental switch, driving changes in gene regulation that are necessary for normal growth and maturation. The fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is particularly susceptible to long-term programming by glucocorticoids; these effects can persist throughout the life of an organism. Dysfunction of the HPA axis as a result of fetal programming has been associated with impaired brain growth, altered behaviour and increased susceptibility to chronic disease (such as metabolic and cardiovascular disease). Moreover, the effects of glucocorticoid-mediated programming are evident in subsequent generations, and transmission of these changes can occur through both maternal and paternal lineages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Vasilis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Moisiadis
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medicine and Physiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Matthews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000503:physiopathology; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone; D001623:Betamethasone