Figure 1.

Overview of developmental programming. A perturbed maternal environment, due to poor diet, excessive stress or impaired health during pregnancy, impairs placental function and thus delivery of nutrients (critically glucose and oxygen) to the fetus. In addition, administration of exogenous glucocorticoids reduces the activity of placental 11β-HSD2, decreasing this barrier to excess glucocorticoids and reducing fetal growth. In response to these stressors, the developing fetus is able to adapt to the prevailing conditions in order to promote survival, altering tissue size, structure and function. These adaptations, although beneficial in the short term, when conflicted by postnatal conditions predispose to an increased risk of adult disease.