title: The effect of fetal growth and nutrient stresses on steroid pathways.
abstract: The early life environment is a crucial time for establishing the trajectory of future health. Low birthweight is considered a marker of an adverse in utero environment and predisposes to cardio-metabolic disease later in life. It has been proposed that this is mediated by glucocorticoids, with life-long activation of the HPA axis. Here we review the evidence to support this hypothesis, with particular emphasis on the effects of fetal growth and nutrient stresses in utero on steroid pathways of the HPA axis. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these processes could help to optimize in utero health, and identify individuals at greatest risk of future disease.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laura I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Stirrat
authors.affiliation: Tommy's Centre for Maternal and Fetal Health, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom; University/BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Electronic address: R.Reynolds@ed.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology*; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013312:Stress, Physiological
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids
keywords: Cortisol; Fetal programming; HPA axis; Pregnancy