Research
Research summary
I continue my research at the University of Cambridge. I am interested in the physiological mechanisms by which poor environmental conditions during pregnancy reduce the weight of the newborn and ultimately program offspring phenotype. My ongoing studies investigate regulation of maternal-fetal nutrient transport by glucocorticoid stress hormones in pregnant rodents and large animals. Endocrine and metabolic parameters are manipulated and measured directly in the mother and fetus whilst placental nutrient transport and uterine/umbilical blood flows are determined using in vivo radiotracer techniques. These observations are related to changes in epigenetic marks, gene and protein expression, and structure in fetal tissues, particularly the placenta.
Funding:BBSRC and Society for Endocrinology
Publications
Vaughan, OR, Sferruzzi-Perri, A.N., Coan, P.M. and Fowden, A.L. (2013) Adaptations in placental phenotype depend on route and timing of maternal dexamethasone treatment in mice.Submitted
Vaughan, OR, Sferruzzi-Perri, A.N. and Fowden, A.L. (2012) Maternal corticosterone regulates nutrient allocation to fetal growth in mice. J Physiol 590: 5529-5540
Vaughan, OR , Sferruzzi-Perri, AN, Coan, PM and Fowden, AL (2011) Environmental Regulation of Placental Phenotype: Implications for Fetal Growth. Reprod Fert Dev 24: 1-17
