The development of a single-celled fertilized egg, through the blastocyst stage of a ball of cells and the embryonic stage when almost all organ systems begin to develop, and finally to the fetal stage where growth and physiological maturation occurs, is a complex and multifaceted process. A change in metabolism during gestation, especially when organogenesis occurs, can lead to abnormal development and congenital defects. Although many studies have described the roles of specific proteins in development, the roles of specific lipids, such as sterols, have not been studied as intensely. Sterol's functions in development range from being a structural component of membranes to regulating the patterning of the forebrain through sonic hedgehog to regulating expression of key proteins involved in metabolic processes. This review focuses on the roles of sterols in embryonic and fetal development and metabolism. Potential sources of cholesterol for the fetus and embryo are also discussed.

中文翻译：

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胎儿和胚胎胆固醇起源于何处？

从细胞球的囊胚期到胚胎期（几乎所有器官系统都开始发育，最后到发育和生理成熟的胎儿期）的单细胞受精卵的发育是一个复杂而多方面的过程处理。妊娠期间代谢的变化，特别是发生器官发生时，可能导致发育异常和先天性缺陷。尽管许多研究已经描述了特定蛋白质在发育中的作用，但尚未对特定脂质（例如甾醇）的作用进行过深入的研究。甾醇在发育中的功能范围从膜的结构成分到通过声波刺猬调节前脑的模式，再到调节参与代谢过程的关键蛋白质的表达。这篇综述着重于固醇在胚胎和胎儿发育与代谢中的作用。还讨论了胎儿和胚胎中胆固醇的潜在来源。