The role of adipokines in developmental programming: evidence from animal models

Abstract

Alterations in the environment during critical periods of development, including altered maternal nutrition, can increase the risk for the development of a range of metabolic, cardiovascular and reproductive disorders in offspring in adult life. Following the original epidemiological observations of David Barker that linked perturbed fetal growth to adult disease, a wide range of experimental animal models have provided empirical support for the developmental programming hypothesis. Although the mechanisms remain poorly defined, adipose tissue has been highlighted as playing a key role in the development of many disorders that manifest in later life. In particular, adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin, primarily secreted by adipose tissue, have now been shown to be important mediators of processes underpinning several phenotypic features associated with developmental programming including obesity, insulin sensitivity and reproductive disorders. Moreover, manipulation of adipokines in early life has provided for potential strategies to ameliorate or reverse the adverse sequalae that are associated with aberrant programming and provided insight into some of the mechanisms involved in the development of chronic disease across the lifecourse.

Intergenerational protein deficiency and adolescent reproductive function of subsequent female generations (F1 and F2) in rat model

“…Delayed onset of puberty corresponds with lowered birth weight. We observed that vaginal opening (Onset of puberty) in the protein-deficient models did not occur within the normal age range earlier reported by Picut et al (2015) , The diversity and progression of puberty have been linked to lowered birthweight ( Castellano and Tena-Sempere, 2016 ), this provides the basis for the fact that perinatal protein malnutrition is capable of programming the offspring's sexual maturity ( Reynolds and Vickers, 2019 )since epigenetic factors play a role in sexual development ( Bhandari et al, 2015 ). Burke et al (2017) , earlier stated that delayed onset of puberty may be inconsequential but the long-lasting differences associated with it may be detrimental, our result shows that the delayed puberty aligns with reduced fertility index in adults, therefore better-explaining fertility intricacies and pregnancy outcomes earlier reported in the F 1 generation.…”

Co-Expression of Candidate Genes Regulating Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Barki Lambs in Egypt

“…Adipokines have an important biological role in regulating lipid metabolism (Reynolds and Vickers, 2019).…”

30th anniversary for the developmental origins of endocrinology

“…This perspective would consider aspects of childhood growth, adiposity and other known factors underpinning type 2 diabetes. Clare Reynolds and Mark Vickers (Reynolds & Vickers 2019) focus on this developmental aspect of adiposity, discussing the roles of leptin, adiponectin and other adipokines in rodent and large animal models and how they can be used to intervene with some of the disorders produced by developmental responses to nutritional insults. The original hypothesis proposed by Hales and Barker focused on impaired early fetal growth that may have been the result of poor nutrition, but these reviews also point to over-nutrition and maternal diabetes as potentially leading to developmental adaptations and later disease risk.…”