Models of fetal growth restriction.
Abstract: The growth of the fetus is determined by substrate supply mostly for mass accretion and energy gain, and by control systems. Experiments with whole animal models will face the following problems: (1) The fetus, like a three compartmental "Russian doll", is at the end of a long supply chain. There are interactions (e.g. hormones) and partitioning of substrates between the compartments. (2) The fetal organism is growing and differentiating at the same time and not in a steady-state. Experimental results thus depend on gestational age. (3) About 75% of animal experiments on fetal growth restriction have been performed in rats and mice. The possible experimental methods and the results depend on the species which include sheep, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses and non-human primates. Many experiments have clearly shown that restriction of substrate supply will usually impair fetal growth. Less is known about growth control mechanisms but recent studies in gene mutant mice have opened a new approach to study the effects of systemic and local controlling factors. It appears that insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins may play an important role for fetal growth.
Publication Date: 2003-09-11 PubMed ID: 12965088DOI: 10.1016/s0301-2115(03)00170-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examines the factors affecting fetal growth, with an emphasis on the problems encountered when studying animal models. Key findings show that the fetus, situated deep within a chain of functions, is greatly influenced by hormones and the distribution of substances essential for its growth. Fetal growth was found to be prone to disruption when there is a restriction of substrate supply. Another important insight is the potential role of insulin-like growth factors and accompanying binding proteins in the process of fetal growth.
Concept of Fetal Growth
- The research article presents fetal growth as a complex function, determined by the availability of substances necessary for mass and energy gain. These substances are seen as crucial in promoting fetal growth and vitality.
- Secondly, the article paints fetal growth not as a static construct, but as a highly dynamic, constantly evolving process. As such, the stages of gestation play a significant role in understanding and interpreting any experimental findings.
Issues in Animal Model Experiments
- The research brings knotty challenges to the fore that are encountered when conducting experiments using entire animal models. A prime issue is how the fetus, likened to a ‘Russian doll’, is found deep within a chain of supporting processes and interactions.
- The distribution and interaction of essential substances across various functional compartments heavily influence the fate of the fetus.
- About 75% of existing experiments on fetal growth restriction have been carried out on small mammals like rats and mice. Therefore, the potential impact of different animal species, like sheep, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, and non-human primates, has not been fully explored.
Insights into Fetal Growth Mechanisms
- This research sheds light on some crucial aspects of fetal development. For instance, it is found that restriction in the supply of the much-needed substrates usually results in impaired fetal growth.
- However, less is known about the control systems governing fetal growth. Luckily, recent studies on mice with mutated genes are providing fresh perspectives on how systemic and local control factors impact fetal growth.
- The insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins are seen as likely having an instrumental role in fetal development.
Cite This Article
APA
Schröder HJ.
(2003).
Models of fetal growth restriction.
Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 110 Suppl 1, S29-S39.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(03)00170-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Abteilung für experimentelle Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. schroede@uke.uni-hamburg.de
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Disease Models, Animal
- Embryonic and Fetal Development
- Female
- Fetal Growth Retardation / etiology
- Gestational Age
- Humans
- Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
- Maternal-Fetal Exchange
- Pregnancy
- Somatomedins / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Lopez-Tello J, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Characterization of placental endocrine function and fetal brain development in a mouse model of small for gestational age.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;14:1116770.
- Mutamba AK, He X, Wang T. Therapeutic advances in overcoming intrauterine growth restriction induced metabolic syndrome.. Front Pediatr 2022;10:1040742.
- Heras-Molina A, Yeste N, Pesantez-Pacheco JL, Astiz S, Vazquez-Gomez M, Bettiga A, Trevisani F, Garcia-Contreras C, Luis-Lima S, Bassols A, Porrini E, Gonzalez-Bulnes A. Obesity and Metabolic Traits after High-Fat Diet in Iberian Pigs with Low Birth Weight of Placental Origin.. Biology (Basel) 2022 Oct 19;11(10).
- Sarli PM, Manousopoulou A, Efthymiou E, Zouridis A, Potiris A, Pervanidou P, Panoulis K, Vlahos N, Deligeoroglou E, Garbis SD, Eleftheriades M. Liver Proteome Profile of Growth Restricted and Appropriately Grown Newborn Wistar Rats Associated With Maternal Undernutrition.. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021;12:684220.
- Chang J, Lurie RH, Sharma A, Bashir M, Fung CM, Dettman RW, Dizon MLV. Intrauterine growth restriction followed by oxygen support uniquely interferes with genetic regulators of myelination.. eNeuro 2021 Jun 7;8(4).
- Chang JL, Bashir M, Santiago C, Farrow K, Fung C, Brown AS, Dettman RW, Dizon MLV. Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Hyperoxia as a Cause of White Matter Injury.. Dev Neurosci 2018;40(4):344-357.
- Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Astiz S, Vazquez-Gomez M, Garcia-Contreras C. Developmental origins of metabolic disorders: The need for biomarker candidates and therapeutic targets from adequate preclinical models.. EuPA Open Proteom 2016 Mar;10:50-55.
- Lopez-Tello J, Arias-Alvarez M, Jimenez-Martinez MA, Garcia-Garcia RM, Rodriguez M, Lorenzo Gonzalez PL, Bermejo-Poza R, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Garcia Rebollar P. Competition for Materno-Fetal Resource Partitioning in a Rabbit Model of Undernourished Pregnancy.. PLoS One 2017;12(1):e0169194.
- Morrison JL, Botting KJ, Soo PS, McGillick EV, Hiscock J, Zhang S, McMillen IC, Orgeig S. Antenatal steroids and the IUGR fetus: are exposure and physiological effects on the lung and cardiovascular system the same as in normally grown fetuses?. J Pregnancy 2012;2012:839656.
- Lassala A, Bazer FW, Cudd TA, Datta S, Keisler DH, Satterfield MC, Spencer TE, Wu G. Parenteral administration of L-arginine prevents fetal growth restriction in undernourished ewes.. J Nutr 2010 Jul;140(7):1242-8.
- Van Mieghem T, van Bree R, Van Herck E, Deprest J, Verhaeghe J. Insulin-like growth factor-II regulates maternal hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy in rats.. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009 Nov;297(5):R1615-21.
- Lassala A, Bazer FW, Cudd TA, Li P, Li X, Satterfield MC, Spencer TE, Wu G. Intravenous administration of L-citrulline to pregnant ewes is more effective than L-arginine for increasing arginine availability in the fetus.. J Nutr 2009 Apr;139(4):660-5.
- Devaskar SU, Thamotharan M. Metabolic programming in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.. Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2007 Jun;8(2):105-13.
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