Adipokines are cytokines produced mainly by adipose tissue, besides many other tissues such as placenta, ovaries, peripheral-blood mononuclear cells, liver, muscle, kidney, heart, and bone marrow. Adipokines play a significant role in the metabolic syndrome and in cardiovascular diseases, have implications in regulating insulin sensitivity and inflammation, and have significant effects on growth and reproductive function. The objective of this review was to analyze the functions known today of adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and visfatin from placenta throughout childhood and adolescence. It is well known now that their serum concentrations during pregnancy and lactation have long-term effects beyond the fetus and newborn. With regard to puberty, adipokines are involved in the regulation of the relationship between nutritional status and normal physiology or disorders of puberty and altered gonadal function, as, for example, premature pubarche and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Cytokines are involved in the maturation of oocytes and in the regular progression of puberty and pregnancy.

Normal fetal growth and development depend on several endocrine, metabolic, and nutritional factors [ 1 ]. Among them, an important role is played by thyroid hormones (TH) (T4 thyroxine and T3 triiodothyronine) both of maternal and fetal origin. The supply of maternal TH to the human fetus depends mainly on the mother's thyroid function and on several placental transport mechanisms. Moreover, during pregnancy, double the normal iodine intake of the mother is required to preserve normal TH concentrations [ 2 ]. In fetus hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid-target tissue axis is activated shortly after the thyroid gland has reached its anatomical site in the fi rst weeks of gestation. A full maturation of the complex system including TH transport, receptor availability, and normal function of postreceptoral mechanisms are however needed to ensure the specifi c biological action at target tissues.

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