Leptin and Development: a Role in the Transition at Birth [ 2001 - 2001 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Caroline Mcmillen (Principal investigator) ,  Phillip Owens

Brief description A series of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that life expectancy and the risk of developing a range of adult diseases such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus and obesity, are related to weight and size at birth. It appears that genetic and environmental factors interact during pregnancy to determine the growth rate of the embryo and fetus and result in a permanent programming of the development of fetal organs and tissues which may result in the onset of disease in adult life. It is well established that babies born to mothers who develop diabetes in pregnancy are bigger at birth and are at greater risk of developing obesity in childhood. Paradoxically several major studies of human populations exposed to deprivation during pregnancy have shown that children born to mothers who experience undernutrition in pregnancy may also develop obesity in adult life. A new hormone has recently been identified which acts as a signal of fat mass and which plays a major role in the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure in the adult. We propose to define the role of this hormone before birth and to determine whether its production or action is altered by an increase or a decrease in fetal nutrition. In particular, we will investigate whether perturbations in the metabolic environment of the fetus program an increased production of this hormone or resistance to its actions after birth. These studies will increase our understanding of what adaptive changes before birth may relate to an increased likelihood of obesity after birth.

Funding Amount $AUD 100,380.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant