Ross M G, Nijland M J
University of California Los Angeles, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90502, USA.
Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1997 Jun;40(2):352-65. doi: 10.1097/00003081-199706000-00011.
In summary, fetal swallowing activity contributes importantly to fetal and amniotic fluid homeostasis, and fetal somatic and gastrointestinal development. Human and ovine fetal swallowing increases throughout gestational with fetal swallowed volumes markedly greater (relative to body weight) than adults. Although the regulation of swallowing activity in early gestation is unknown, intact central and systemic dipsogenic mechanisms have been shown during the last third of ovine gestation. Recent studies suggest that swallowing behavior may be modulated in accordance with neurobehavioral state changes and influenced by hypoxia, hypotension and plasma osmolality changes. Whether fetal swallowing also is regulated by the development of "hunger" sensation, salt appetite, or the development of taste is uncertain. Nevertheless, it is likely that, for species in which swallowing behavior develops in utero, there are potentially dramatic influences of the maternal-fetal pregnancy environment on the imprinting of regulatory mechanisms controlling ingestive behavior. Ultimately, the regulation of fetal swallowing may aid in the prevention and/or therapy of human amniotic fluid disorders.
总之，胎儿吞咽活动对胎儿及羊水内环境稳定以及胎儿躯体和胃肠道发育起着重要作用。人类和绵羊胎儿的吞咽在整个妊娠期都会增加，胎儿吞咽的量（相对于体重）明显大于成年人。虽然妊娠早期吞咽活动的调节机制尚不清楚，但在绵羊妊娠晚期已证实存在完整的中枢和全身致渴机制。最近的研究表明，吞咽行为可能会根据神经行为状态的变化而受到调节，并受缺氧、低血压和血浆渗透压变化的影响。胎儿吞咽是否也受“饥饿”感、盐欲或味觉发育的调节尚不确定。然而，对于在子宫内就出现吞咽行为的物种而言，母胎妊娠环境可能对控制摄食行为的调节机制的印记产生潜在的重大影响。最终，胎儿吞咽的调节可能有助于预防和/或治疗人类羊水疾病。
