Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease

Velazquez, Miguel A.; Fleming, Tom P.; Watkins, Adam J.

Abstract

© 2019 Society for Endocrinology Published by Bioscientifica Ltd. The concept emerging from Professor David Barker's seminal research on the developmental origins of later-life disease has progressed in many directions since it was first published. One critical question being when during gestation might environment alter the developmental programme with such enduring consequenc es. Here, we review the growing consensus from clinical and animal research that the period around conception, embracing gamete maturation and early embryogenesis might be the most vulnerable period. We focus on four types of environmental exposure shown to modify periconceptional reproduction and offspring development and health: Maternal overnutrition and obesity; maternal undernutrition; paternal diet and health; and assisted reproductive technology. These conditions may act thro ugh diverse epigenetic, cellular and physiological mechanisms to alter gene expression and cellular signalling and function in the conceptus affecting offspring growth and meta bolism leading to increased risk for cardiometabolic and neurological disease in later life.

Citation

Velazquez, M. A., Fleming, T. P., & Watkins, A. J. (2019). Periconceptional environment and the developmental origins of disease. Journal of Endocrinology, 242(1), T33-T49. https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-18-0676

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Feb 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jul 1, 2019
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jul 9, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 2, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Endocrinology
• Print ISSN: 0022-0795
• Electronic ISSN: 1479-6805
• Publisher: BioScientifica
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 242
• Issue: 1
• Pages: T33-T49
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-18-0676
• Keywords: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism; Endocrinology
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2289762
• Publisher URL: https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/242/1/JOE-18-0676.xml
• Additional Information: Disclaimer: this is not the definitive version of record of this article. This manuscript has been accepted for publication in Journal of Endocrinology, but the version presented here has not yet been copy-edited, formatted or proofed. Consequently, Bioscientifica accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions it may contain. The definitive version is now freely available at https://doi.org/10.1530/JOE-18-0676 2019.