FETAL SENSORY COMPETENCES

Citation
Jp. Lecanuet et B. Schaal, FETAL SENSORY COMPETENCES, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 68(1-2), 1996, pp. 1-23
Citations number
248
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Biology","Obsetric & Gynecology
ISSN journal
03012115
Volume
68
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1996
Pages
1 - 23
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-2115(1996)68:1-2<1:FSC>2.0.ZU;2-Q
Abstract
A growing body of evidence is available about the functioning of fetal sensory systems during gestation. This article aims at reviewing data concerning (i) the presence of potential sensory stimulation in the f etal milieu, (ii) the sequential functional develop ment of the sensor y systems and (iii) physiological and behavioral responses of fetuses to various types of stimulation. Human data are compared with data col lected in other mammalian species. Most studies have investigated audi tory and chemosensory (olfactory and gustatory) responsiveness of the fetus in the second half of gestation. They demonstrate that (i) motor and heart rate responsiveness depends on gestational age and characte ristics of stimulation; (ii) fetal sensory experience has short- and l ong-term effects at morphological, functional and behavioral levels (f or example transnatal learning). The clinical consequences of the feta l sensory functioning are developed.