Bauer M K, Harding J E, Bassett N S, Breier B H, Oliver M H, Gallaher B H, Evans P C, Woodall S M, Gluckman P D
Research Centre for Developmental Medicine and Biology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
Mol Cell Endocrinol. 1998 May 25;140(1-2):115-20. doi: 10.1016/s0303-7207(98)00039-2.
Fetal growth is largely determined by the availability of nutrients to the fetus. The fetus is at the end of a supply line that ensures delivery of nutrients from the maternal/uterine circulation to the fetus via the placenta. However, this supply line can not be regarded as a linear relationship. Maternal undernutrition will not only reduce global nutrient availability but will also influence the maternal and fetal somatotrophic axis. Both endocrine systems react in a very similar way to limited substrate supply. The hormones of the fetal somatotrophic axis, and in particular insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, are important regulators of fetal growth. Placental function is pivotal to materno-fetal nutrient and metabolite transfer. Placental function in turn, is heavily influenced by the maternal and fetal growth hormone (GH)-IGF-1 system. The placenta itself is also an active endocrine organ and it produces a large number of hormones including GH and IGF-1 as well their corresponding receptors. Thus the placenta can no longer be considered merely a passive conduit for fetal nutrition. Rather, it is actively involved in the integration of nutritional and endocrine signals from the maternal and fetal somatotrophic axes.
胎儿生长在很大程度上取决于胎儿可获得的营养物质。胎儿处于一条供应线的末端，这条供应线确保营养物质从母体/子宫循环经胎盘输送给胎儿。然而，这条供应线不能被视为一种线性关系。母体营养不足不仅会降低整体营养物质的可获得性，还会影响母体和胎儿的生长激素轴。这两个内分泌系统对有限的底物供应的反应非常相似。胎儿生长激素轴的激素，尤其是胰岛素样生长因子（IGF）-1，是胎儿生长的重要调节因子。胎盘功能对于母胎营养物质和代谢产物的转运至关重要。而胎盘功能又受到母体和胎儿生长激素（GH）-IGF-1系统的严重影响。胎盘本身也是一个活跃的内分泌器官，它会产生大量激素，包括GH和IGF-1以及它们相应的受体。因此，胎盘再也不能仅仅被视为胎儿营养的被动通道。相反，它积极参与整合来自母体和胎儿生长激素轴的营养和内分泌信号。
