Mechanisms of Maternal Transfer of Photoperiodic Information

光周期信息的母体传递机制

• 批准号: 9222520
• 负责人: Teresa Horton
• 金额: $ 8万
• 依托单位: Kent State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 1993
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1993-04-01 至 1994-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9222520&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Mechanisms; Maternal; Transfer; Photoperiodic; Information

Changes in hormone levels and metabolism in pregnant females in a number of species, including humans, can influence the development of the fetus. These changes in fetal development can result from adaptive responses to normal fluctuations in the environment as well as from the teratogenic effects of chemicals injected by the mother. Indeed the toxic effects of nicotine, cocaine and alcohol result from their interference with the normal biochemical pathways that regulate fetal development, pathways similar to those used in an organism's normal adaptive response. Dr. Horton will examine the mechanisms by which the maternal system transmits information about changes in day length, a naturally occurring environmental cue, to the fetus during gestation. It is known that prenatal photoperiodic information influences postnatal rate of growth, body weight and reproductive development. She proposes that melatonin, a hormone produced and secreted by the pineal gland, is a likely candidate for this transfer of information since it crosses the placenta from the maternal to the fetal circulation and is involved in regulation of circadian rhythmicity. Using an innovative technical procedure to administer melatonin in a physiologically meaningful manner, Dr. Horton will identify those factors in the maternal system which communicate day length information to the fetus. The results of these fundamental studies will lead to a better understanding of the mechanism by which the maternal system can alter the unfolding intrinsic genetic program regulating the development of the fetus.

包括人类在内的许多物种怀孕雌性体内激素水平和新陈代谢的变化会影响胎儿的发育。 胎儿发育的这些变化可能是由于对环境正常波动的适应性反应以及母亲注射的化学物质的致畸作用造成的。 事实上，尼古丁、可卡因和酒精的毒性作用是由于它们干扰了调节胎儿发育的正常生化途径，这些途径与生物体正常适应性反应中使用的途径相似。 霍顿博士将研究母体系统在妊娠期间向胎儿传递有关日长变化的信息（一种自然发生的环境暗示）的机制。 众所周知，产前光周期信息影响产后生长速度、体重和生殖发育。 她提出，褪黑激素（一种由松果体产生和分泌的激素）可能是这种信息传递的候选者，因为它穿过胎盘从母体到胎儿循环，并参与昼夜节律的调节。 霍顿博士将使用创新的技术程序以生理上有意义的方式管理褪黑激素，从而确定母体系统中向胎儿传达昼长信息的因素。 这些基础研究的结果将有助于更好地理解母体系统改变调节胎儿发育的内在遗传程序的机制。