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3983795 
Journal Article 
Review 
Glucocorticoids, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) development, and life after birth 
Matthews, SG; Owen, D; Banjanin, S; Andrews, MH 
2002 
Yes 
Endocrine Research
ISSN: 0743-5800
EISSN: 1532-4206 
MARCEL DEKKER INC 
NEW YORK 
28 
4 
709-718 
English 
12530687 
WOS:000180213900071 
Approximately 10% of women in North America are treated with synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC) between 24 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (term similar to 40 weeks), to promote lung maturation in fetuses at risk of preterm delivery. Such therapy is highly effective in reducing the frequency of respiratory complications, and as a result, repeated course treatment has become widespread. Nothing is known about the impact of repeated sGC treatment on neuroendocrine development in the human, or if specific time windows of increased sensitivity exist. Glucocorticoids are essential for many aspects of normal brain development. However, there is growing evidence from a number of species, that exposure of the fetal brain to excess glucocorticoid can have life-long effects on behaviour and neuroendocrine function. We have shown that exposure of fetuses to sGC in late gestation permanently alters HPA function in pre-pubertal, post-pubertal, and aging offspring, in a sex-dependent manner. These effects are linked to changes in central glucocorticoid feedback. Prenatal glucocorticoid exposure also leads to modification of HPA-associated behaviours and organ morphology, as well as altered regulation of other neuroendocrine systems. Pennanent changes in HPA function will have ! long-term impact on health, since elevated cumulative exposure to endogenouss glucocorticoid has been linked to the premature onset of pathologies associated with aging. 
receptor messenger-rna; corticotropin-releasing hormone; guinea-pig; mineralocorticoid receptor; gene-expression; rat hippocampus; dexamethasone; corticosteroids; betamethasone; serotonin; Endocrinology & Metabolism 
10th Conference on the Adrenal Cortex 
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA