A review of fundamental principles for animal models of DOHaD research: An Australian perspective

H. Dickinson, T. J. Moss, K. L. Gatford, K. M. Moritz, L. Akison, T. Fullston, D. H. Hryciw, C. A. Maloney, M. J. Morris, A. L. Wooldridge, J. E. Schjenken, S. A. Robertson, B. J. Waddell, P. J. Mark, C. S. Wyrwoll, S. J. Ellery, K. L. Thornburg, B. S. Muhlhausler, J. L. Morrison

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    88 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    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 (DOHaD). Animal experimentation provided proof of the underlying concepts, and continues to generate knowledge of underlying mechanisms. Interventions in humans, based on DOHaD principles, will be informed by experiments in animals. As knowledge in this discipline has accumulated, from studies of humans and other animals, the complexity of interactions between genome, environment and epigenetics, has been revealed. The vast nature of programming stimuli and breadth of effects is becoming known. As a result of our accumulating knowledge we now appreciate the impact of many variables that contribute to programmed outcomes. To guide further animal research in this field, the Australia and New Zealand DOHaD society (ANZ DOHaD) Animals Models of DOHaD Research Working Group convened at the 2nd Annual ANZ DOHaD Congress in Melbourne, Australia in April 2015. This review summarizes the contributions of animal research to the understanding of DOHaD, and makes recommendations for the design and conduct of animal experiments to maximize relevance, reproducibility and translation of knowledge into improving health and well-being.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)449-472
    Number of pages24
    JournalJournal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
    Volume7
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    StatePublished - Oct 1 2016

    Keywords

    • developmental origins of health and disease
    • developmental stage
    • outcome/system
    • programming

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine (miscellaneous)

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'A review of fundamental principles for animal models of DOHaD research: An Australian perspective'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this