Perinatal Programming

Perinatal Programming

The perinatal period—including prenatal development in utero and the first weeks or months postnatal—plays a critical role in shaping future health and performance.

Our research seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms by which exposure to stressors (such as heat stress) during the perinatal period may disrupt placental growth and function, alter the maternal-fetal hormonal milieu, and impact offspring’s immune function, metabolism, organ development, and productivity over their lifespan.

A key focus of our work is the epigenome, which may be altered by environmental conditions and triggered by stressors, leading to changes in gene expression and biological pathways. Thus, early developmental disruptions can have long-term impacts on physiology and productivity, programming animals to reduce productivity, and subsequent generations may inherit these adaptations.