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Horm Metab Res 2009; 41(11): 791-798
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1231026
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Changes in GH/IGF-1 Axis in Intrauterine Growth Retardation: Consequences of Fetal Programming?

S. Setia1 , M. G. Sridhar1
  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India
Further Information

Publication History

received 22.01.2009

accepted 02.06.2009

Publication Date:
21 July 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Fetal growth is a complex process that depends on the genotype and epigenotype of the fetus, maternal nutrition, the availability of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus, intrauterine insults, and a variety of growth factors and proteins of maternal and fetal/placental origin. In the fetus, growth hormone (GH) plays little or no role in regulating fetal growth, and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) control growth directly independent of fetal GH secretion. Placental growth hormone (PGH) is the prime regulator of maternal serum IGF-1 during pregnancy. Total as well as free PGH and IGFs are significantly lower in pregnancies with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The GH/IGF axis is significantly affected by intrauterine growth retardation and some of these alterations may lead to permanent pathological programming of the IGF axis. Alterations in the IGF axis may play a role in the future occurrence of insulin resistance and hypertension. In this review we focus on the regulation of fetal growth and the role of fetal programming in the late consequences of a poor fetal environment reflected in IUGR.

Key words

growth hormone - IGF - insulin resistance

References

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Correspondence

Dr. S. Setia

Senior Resident

Department of Biochemistry

Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER)

Pondicherry 605 006

India

Phone: +91/96/268 806 12

Phone: +91/41/322 727 63

Fax: +91/41/322 720 67

Email: sajita.setia@gmail.com