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Programming Effects of Excess Glucocorticoid Exposure in Late Gestation

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Early Life Origins of Health and Disease

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 573))

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Abstract

Glucocorticoids are powerful hormones that play a crucial role in normal maturation of fetal organs in preparation for life outside the womb. However, exposure of the fetus to elevated levels of glucocorticoids, or exposure at inappropriate times, subtly disturbs normal fetal development. Experimental studies have demonstrated that late gestational exposure to excess glucocorticoids causes programming of a number of organ systems.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Women’s and Infants’ Health, University of Western Australia, Box m094, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia

    Timothy J. M. Moss & Deborah M. Sloboda

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  1. Timothy J. M. Moss
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  2. Deborah M. Sloboda
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Correspondence to Timothy J. M. Moss .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    E. Marelyn Wintour

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia

    Julie A. Owens

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Moss, T.J.M., Sloboda, D.M. (2006). Programming Effects of Excess Glucocorticoid Exposure in Late Gestation. In: Wintour, E.M., Owens, J.A. (eds) Early Life Origins of Health and Disease. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 573. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-32632-4_14

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