The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved]
The fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is at the center of mechanisms controlling fetal readiness for birth, survival after birth and, in several species, determination of the timing of birth. Stereotypical increases in fetal HPA axis activity at the end of gestation are critical for pr...
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doaj-3dfc0dae50cc41ba998f221649dbff1f2020-11-25T03:47:58ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022016-01-01510.12688/f1000research.7224.17782The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved]Charles E. Wood0Maureen Keller-Wood1Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida College of Medicine, FL, USADepartment of Pharmacodynamics, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, FL, USAThe fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is at the center of mechanisms controlling fetal readiness for birth, survival after birth and, in several species, determination of the timing of birth. Stereotypical increases in fetal HPA axis activity at the end of gestation are critical for preparing the fetus for successful transition to postnatal life. The fundamental importance in fetal development of the endogenous activation of this endocrine axis at the end of gestation has led to the use of glucocorticoids for reducing neonatal morbidity in premature infants. However, the choice of dose and repetition of treatments has been controversial, raising the possibility that excess glucocorticoid might program an increased incidence of adult disease (e.g., coronary artery disease and diabetes). We make the argument that because of the critical importance of the fetal HPA axis and its interaction with the maternal HPA axis, dysregulation of cortisol plasma concentrations or inappropriate manipulation pharmacologically can have negative consequences at the beginning of extrauterine life and for decades thereafter.http://f1000research.com/articles/5-115/v1Adrenal CortexEndocrinologyPregnancy, Labor, Delivery & Postpartum CareReproductive Endocrinology & Infertility |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Charles E. Wood Maureen Keller-Wood |
spellingShingle |
Charles E. Wood Maureen Keller-Wood The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] F1000Research Adrenal Cortex Endocrinology Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery & Postpartum Care Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility |
author_facet |
Charles E. Wood Maureen Keller-Wood |
author_sort |
Charles E. Wood |
title |
The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_short |
The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_full |
The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_fullStr |
The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_full_unstemmed |
The critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
title_sort |
critical importance of the fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis [version 1; referees: 3 approved] |
publisher |
F1000 Research Ltd |
series |
F1000Research |
issn |
2046-1402 |
publishDate |
2016-01-01 |
description |
The fetal hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is at the center of mechanisms controlling fetal readiness for birth, survival after birth and, in several species, determination of the timing of birth. Stereotypical increases in fetal HPA axis activity at the end of gestation are critical for preparing the fetus for successful transition to postnatal life. The fundamental importance in fetal development of the endogenous activation of this endocrine axis at the end of gestation has led to the use of glucocorticoids for reducing neonatal morbidity in premature infants. However, the choice of dose and repetition of treatments has been controversial, raising the possibility that excess glucocorticoid might program an increased incidence of adult disease (e.g., coronary artery disease and diabetes). We make the argument that because of the critical importance of the fetal HPA axis and its interaction with the maternal HPA axis, dysregulation of cortisol plasma concentrations or inappropriate manipulation pharmacologically can have negative consequences at the beginning of extrauterine life and for decades thereafter. |
topic |
Adrenal Cortex Endocrinology Pregnancy, Labor, Delivery & Postpartum Care Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility |
url |
http://f1000research.com/articles/5-115/v1 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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