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Impact of maternal steroids during pregnancy.
- Source :
-
Annales d'endocrinologie [Ann Endocrinol (Paris)] 2016 Dec; Vol. 77 (6), pp. 677-679. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Sep 16. - Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Increased fetal exposure to glucocorticoids is a key mechanism thought to underlie the early life programming of later life disease. There is substantial experimental data in animal models in support of this hypothesis. Emerging evidence suggests glucocorticoid programming may also occur in humans with some studies now linking maternal endogenous cortisol levels with size at birth and gestation at delivery. The dramatic changes to the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during pregnancy mean that large-scale studies in humans are challenging to conduct. One of the key regulators of fetal glucocorticoid exposure is the activity of placental "barrier" enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (HSD2) which converts active cortisol to inactive cortisone. In animal models, this enzyme is down-regulated by various influences including maternal malnutrition, inflammation or stress but it is not known whether this is a major factor in regulation of human fetal glucocorticoid exposure. More studies are needed to understand the mechanisms whereby altered fetal glucocorticoid exposure may alter fetal growth trajectories and whether changes in the maternal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in pregnancy could be suitable as a biomarker to identify those pregnancies most at risk.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)
- Subjects :
- 11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 drug effects
11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 metabolism
Animals
Animals, Newborn
Birth Weight drug effects
Cortisone adverse effects
Cortisone pharmacology
Female
Fetal Development drug effects
Glucocorticoids adverse effects
Humans
Hydrocortisone adverse effects
Hydrocortisone pharmacology
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System physiology
Infant, Newborn
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Pregnancy
Glucocorticoids pharmacology
Maternal-Fetal Exchange drug effects
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects metabolism
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects physiopathology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2213-3941
- Volume :
- 77
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Annales d'endocrinologie
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27646492
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ando.2016.04.027