Abstract: Ovarian structure and functions are important for female fertility. The development and maturation of reproduction, and maintains of ovarian function and fertility, are mainly regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis and the local factors of ovary, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF). It was reported that the adverse maternal environment during pregnancy (such as prenatal xenobiotics exposure, maternal nutrition disorder and disease, etc.) was associated with the reproductive development in offspring, which would lead to diminished ovarian reserve such as premature ovarian failure (POF) in some adult offspring. The mechanism of fetal-derived POF is related to the theory of "intrauterine programming"，including they abnormalities of neuroendocrine programming and epigenetic modification. In this review, we discussed the intrauterine programming mechanism of fetal-derived POF, and the potential markers of early warning, prevention and treatment of this disease.

Key words: Primary ovarian insufficiency, Fetal development, Neurosecretory systems, Epigenesis, genetic, Cellular reprogramming