Neurotrophins are a family of functionally and structurally related proteins which play a key role in the survival, development, and function of neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) are the family members of neurotrophins. Neurotrophins play a crucial role in influencing the development of the brain and learning and memory processes. Studies demonstrate that they also play crucial role in influencing reproductive and immune systems. Neurotrophins have been shown to influence various processes in the mother, placenta, and fetus during pregnancy. Development and maturation of feto-placental unit and the fetal growth trajectories are influenced by neurotrophins. In addition to neurotrophins, neuropeptides like neuropeptide Y also play a crucial role during various processes of pregnancy and during fetal brain development. Neurotrophins have also been shown to have a cross talk with various angiogenic factors and influence placental development. Alterations in the levels of neurotrophins and neuropeptides lead to placental pathologies resulting in various pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm births. Studies in animals have reported low levels of maternal micronutrients like folic acid, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids influence brain neurotrophins resulting in impaired cognitive functioning in the offspring. Maternal nutrition is also known to affect the expression of neuropeptides. It is essential to understand the role of various neurotrophins across various stages of pregnancy and its relationship with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. This will lead to early prediction of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The present review describes evidence describing the role of neurotrophins in determining pregnancy outcome and altered neurodevelopment in the offspring. The possible mechanism through which maternal nutrition influences neurotrophins and neuropeptides to regulate offspring brain development and function is also discussed.

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神经营养因子在妊娠和后代大脑发育中的作用

神经营养因子是一个功能和结构相关的蛋白质家族，在中枢和外周神经系统中神经元的存活、发育和功能中起着关键作用。脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF)、神经生长因子 (NGF)、神经营养因子-3 (NT-3) 和神经营养因子-4 (NT-4) 是神经营养因子的家族成员。神经营养因子在影响大脑发育和学习记忆过程中起着至关重要的作用。研究表明，它们在影响生殖和免疫系统方面也发挥着至关重要的作用。神经营养因子已被证明会影响怀孕期间母亲、胎盘和胎儿的各种过程。胎儿-胎盘单位的发育和成熟以及胎儿的生长轨迹受神经营养因子的影响。除了神经营养因子，像神经肽 Y 这样的神经肽在怀孕的各种过程和胎儿大脑发育过程中也起着至关重要的作用。神经营养因子也被证明与各种血管生成因子有交互作用并影响胎盘发育。神经营养因子和神经肽水平的改变会导致胎盘病变，从而导致各种妊娠并发症，如先兆子痫、宫内生长受限和早产。动物研究报告称，叶酸、维生素 B12 和 omega-3 脂肪酸等母体微量营养素含量低会影响大脑神经营养因子，从而导致后代的认知功能受损。已知母体营养也会影响神经肽的表达。了解各种神经营养因子在怀孕各个阶段的作用及其与儿童神经发育结果的关系至关重要。这将导致对不良神经发育结果的早期预测。本综述描述了描述神经营养因子在决定妊娠结果和后代神经发育改变中的作用的证据。还讨论了母体营养影响神经营养因子和神经肽以调节后代大脑发育和功能的可能机制。