Question

Describe how the in utero environment can have long-term effects on an individual.

Answer 1

In utero is a latin word which means – in the womb. In utero environment refers to the factors that influencing the growth of fetus inside the womb. These factors include genetical, maternal and paternal , efficiency of placenta, maternal stature, intake of vitamins during pregnancy.
The in utero environment has long term effects on an individual. For example, the baby born with low birth weight in future associate with coronary heart disease , type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome. Slow growth in utero may leads to increased deposition of nutrients in adipose tissues and gain more weight during childhood or adulthood. Which later increase the risk of coronary heart disease , type 2 diabetes mellitus etc. conditions.
In humans the nutrients are transferred from mother to fetus occurs through placenta. The maternal constraints play a major role in in utero development of a fetus. The fatness or thinness of maternal body effects the nutrition needs of fetus in utero. The fetus itself in womb subjected to adaptive response in utero. These fetal or peri natal responses includes changes in hormone production, metabolism, sensitivity to hormones which effects later in organ development. This will leads to permanent change or alteration in physiologic and metabolic set points. The relation between fetal growth and adult disease signifies the pleiotropic effects of genes from mother to child.
The psychological or mental factors of mother also have effect in fetal mental growth. Maternal over nutrition and under nutrition also have adverse effect in growth of fetus also in later adulthood.