Endocrine Abstracts

In humans, brain developmental processes start already around week 5 of gestation and continue throughout pregnancy and postnatal life. The migration, differentiation, proliferation, and myelination of neurons are thyroid hormone dependent processes, as shown in animal studies. The fetal thyroid gland is not functionally mature before week 18–20 of gestation. During this period the fetus acquires thyroid hormone for the most part via placental transfer from the mother. Th...