Combination of intrauterine growth restriction and a high-fat diet impairs cholesterol elimination in rats.

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the risk of adult-onset hypercholesterolemia. High-fat diet (HFD) consumption potentiates IUGR-induced increased cholesterol. Cholesterol is converted to bile acids by Cyp7a1 in preparation for excretion.

Fetal growth restriction alters hippocampal 17-beta estradiol and estrogen receptor alpha levels in the newborn male rat.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes in affected newborns. The pathogenesis of FGR-associated neurodevelopmental impairment implicates abnormal hippocampal function. The steroid hormone estrogen and its receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), are involved in the normal programming of hippocampal development and structure.