Animals transmit not only DNA but also other molecules, such as RNA, proteins and
metabolites, to their progeny via gametes. It is currently unclear to what extent these …

Obesity is among the most common and costly chronic disorders worldwide. Estimates
suggest that in the United States obesity affects one-third of adults, accounts for up to one …

In brief Reactive oxygen species are generated throughout the pre-implantation period and
are necessary for normal embryo formation. However, at pathological levels, they result in …

Maternal obesity can impair embryo development and offspring health, yet the mechanisms
responsible remain poorly understood. In a high-fat diet (HFD)-based female mouse model …

Research on mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of developmental programming of
health and disease has focused primarily on processes that are specific to cell types, organs …

Our efforts to understand the developmental origins of birth defects and disease have
primarily focused on maternal exposures and intrauterine stressors. Recently, research into …

Epidemiology formed the basis of 'the Barker hypothesis', the concept of 'developmental
programming'and today's discipline of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease …

Sperm counts have shown a progressive decline across the world since the mid‐1900s.
Global rates of obesity have been climbing at a similarly alarming rate, suggesting that these …

The placenta is vital for mammalian development and a key determinant of life‐long health.
It is the interface between the mother and fetus and is responsible for transporting the …

During formation of the preimplantation embryo several cellular and molecular milestones
take place, making the few cells forming the early embryo vulnerable to environmental …