부산대학교 도서관

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2005.104141 Byline: A. L. Fowden (1), J. W. Ward (1), F. P. B. Wooding (1), A. J. Forhead (1), M. Constancia (2) Abstract: Many animal studies and human epidemiological findings have shown that impaired growth in utero is associated with physiological abnormalities in later life and have linked this to tissue programming during suboptimal intrauterine conditions at critical periods of development. However, few of these studies have considered the contribution of the placenta to the ensuing adult phenotype. In mammals, the major determinant of intrauterine growth is the placental nutrient supply, which, in turn, depends on the size, morphology, blood supply and transporter abundance of the placenta and on synthesis and metabolism of nutrients and hormones by the uteroplacental tissues. This review examines the regulation of placental nutrient transfer capacity and the potential programming effects of nutrition and glucocorticoid over-exposure on placental phenotype with particular emphasis on the role of the Igf2 gene in these processes. Author Affiliation: (1)Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK (2)Developmental Genetics and Imprinting, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB2 4AT, UK Article History: (Received 21 December 2005; accepted after revision 25 January 2006; first published online 26 January 2006) Article note: Corresponding author A. L. Fowden: Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK. Email: alf1000@cam.ac.uk