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Review
. 2016 Feb 15;7(1):38-47.
doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v7.i1.38.

Amniotic fluid: Source of trophic factors for the developing intestine

Soham Dasgupta  1 , Shreyas Arya  1 , Sanjeev Choudhary  1 , Sunil K Jain  1
Affiliations
Review

Amniotic fluid: Source of trophic factors for the developing intestine

Soham Dasgupta et al. World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. .

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a complex system, which changes in response to requirements of the body. GIT represents a barrier to the external environment. To achieve this, epithelial cells must renew rapidly. This renewal of epithelial cells starts in the fetal life under the influence of many GIT peptides by swallowing amniotic fluid (AF). Development and maturation of GIT is a very complex cascade that begins long before birth and continues during infancy and childhood by breast-feeding. Many factors like genetic preprogramming, local and systemic endocrine secretions and many trophic factors (TF) from swallowed AF contribute and modulate the development and growth of the GIT. GIT morphogenesis, differentiation and functional development depend on the activity of various TF in the AF. This manuscript will review the role of AF borne TF in the development of GIT.

Keywords: Amniotic; Development; Factors; Fluid; Gastrointestinal; Tract; Trophic.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Various phases of mammalian gut development.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Two patterns of the growth of small intestine. A: Cylindrical organ growth in length and diameter; B: Luminal mucosal growth with amplification of the internal surface area by submucosal folds and villi.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Various pathways of amniotic fluid circulation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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