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The Barker hypothesis of 'foetal origin of adult diseases' has led to emphasize the concept of 'developmental programming', based on the crucial role of epigenetic factors. Accordingly, it has been demonstrated that parental adversity (before conception and during pregnancy) and foetal factors (i.e., hypoxia, malnutrition and placental insufficiency) permanently modify the physiological systems of the progeny, predisposing them to premature ageing and chronic disease during adulthood. Thus, an altered functionality of the endocrine, immune, nervous and cardiovascular systems is observed in the progeny. However, it remains to be understood whether the haematopoietic system itself also represents a portrait of foetal programming. Here, we provide evidence, reporting and discussing related theories, and results of studies described in the literature. In addition, we have outlined our opinions and suggest how it is possible to intervene to correct foetal mal-programming. Some pro-health interventions and recommendations are proposed, with the hope of guarantee the health of future generations and trying to combat the continuous increase in age-related diseases in human populations., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The ontogeny of the teleost innate immune system was studied in carp using cellular, histological and quantitative molecular techniques. Carp myeloid cells first appeared ventro-lateral of the aorta at 2 days post fertilization (the start of hatching), and subsequently around the sinuses of the vena cardinalis (or posterior blood islet), head kidney and trunk kidney. In addition, the hematopoietic tissue around the sinuses of the vena cardinalis transformed into that of the trunk kidney, which is the first description of the ontogeny of the trunk kidney hematopoietic tissue in teleosts. The mAb's used in this study reacted with carp myeloid surface molecules that are already transcribed and processed from the first appearance of myeloid cells, and thus serve a significant role in unraveling ontogenetic processes of teleost immunology. Finally, this study associated the first appearance of myeloid cells with an immune response on the molecular level: 2 days post fertilization embryos responded to LPS injection with upregulation of interleukin 1-beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase and serum amyloid A, and down-regulation of complement factor 3 and alpha2-macroglobulin, implying a functional embryonic innate defense system.

The development of the liver, bone marrow and spleen have been investigated in the stripe-faced dunnart. At birth, the liver was undergoing haematopoiesis but the level declined rapidly and by day 50 after birth the liver was histologically mature. Both the bone marrow and spleen were non-haematopoietic at birth but initiated haematopoiesis shortly thereafter. Bone marrow was initially detected at day 11 postpartum. By 57 days after birth, adipocytes had infiltrated the marrow and were abundant by day 60 after birth. Mitotic cells were observed in remaining areas of marrow until at least 170 days postpartum. The spleen at birth was undifferentiated, with trabeculae appearing by day 42. Red and white pulp areas became apparent by day 43 and were well defined by day 57 after birth. In summary, the pattern of the development of the liver, bone marrow and spleen in the stripe-faced dunnart were similar to that observed in eutherians and other metatherians studied to date.

The ultrastructure of the lympho-hemopoietic tissue of the typhlosole and opisthonephros of larval Petromyzon marinus was studied throughout the life cycle. In both locations, lympho-hemopoietic tissue houses a connective tissue stroma and is irrigated by a system of enlarged blood sinuses lined by a continuous endothelium. The typhlosolar and opisthonephric lympho-hemopoietic tissue consists of mature and developing blood cells belonging to erythroid, lymphoid, monocytic and granulocytic lineages. During metamorphosis there is a total degeneration of the larval opisthonephros and a full transformation of the digestive apparatus. As a consequence of these modifications the typhlosole and the opisthonephros lose their hemopoietic capacity. These changes are discussed in view of the role played in them by the so-called "hemopoietic inductive microenvironments", principally the stroma supporting apparatus and vascularization pattern.