Physiologie de la croissance fœtale

Abstract

Fetal growth is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon that depends on environmental and genetic factors. Fetal growth is controlled by maternal, placental and fetal factors. Fetal growth is closely related to placental growth and requires continuous nutrient supply adapted to each step of the pregnancy. Consequently, both the feto-placental metabolism and the hormonal regulation of fetal growth will be successively considered. Data from clinical and animal models and from selective genic invalidation experiments will be reported. Genomic imprinting and the fetal origin of adult disease will be further discussed.