The research
interests of the Perinatal Physiology group are in mammalian endocrinology and
the endocrine regulation of physiology and development, especially in fetal and
early postnatal life. Using an
integrative approach and a variety of research techniques, we investigate the growth
and development of the fetus, and the maturational changes in physiological
systems that enable neonatal survival at birth.
The research findings have important implications for the understanding
of normal fetal growth and development, the consequences of prematurity and
fetal endocrine disorders, and the mechanisms underlying the intrauterine
programming of adult (patho)physiology.
Currently, our
research work is focussed on two main areas:
Development and regulation of
endocrine systems in the fetus
Our studies examine
the bioavailability of hormones in the fetus, in particular, glucocorticoids,
thyroid hormones, leptin, insulin-like growth factors and the renin-angiotensin
system. Our analyses of hormone systems in utero include measurements of circulating concentrations, tissue
metabolism and metabolic enzymes, cellular uptake mechanisms and receptor
expression. These studies have demonstrated complex interactions between
endocrine systems before birth and have elucidated a variety of cellular and
molecular mechanisms of developmental control.
Endocrine control of fetal
growth, development and maturation
Our research also
investigates the role of hormones in the regulation of normal fetal
development. These studies have an integrative approach to systems animal
biology by examining a wide variety of fetal tissues and organs, and aspects of
fetal physiology, including growth, cardiovascular and renal function,
nutrition and metabolism. In particular, several of these studies have
established the importance of endocrine signals in maturation of fetal tissues near
to delivery and in the successful transition from the intrauterine to
extrauterine environment at birth. We investigate the mechanisms of
glucocorticoid action in several physiological systems, and have demonstrated
the important roles of other hormones, such as thyroid hormones, leptin and
angiotensin II, in mediating many of the maturational effects of
glucocorticoids.