Research on the foetal nutritional origins of adult onset disease in rodents have uncovered a plethora of programming effects on adult metabolic and cardiovascular health. This relationship is a consequence of disordered foetal growth and alteration of the programmed development of various homeostatic control points. Until recently, applicability of early nutritional programming to livestock species has received little attention. An overview is given on the evidence of foetal programming effects brought about by global and protein under- and overnutrition in rodents and sheep. Maternal and foetal endocrine alterations of glucocorticoids, insulin and the insulin-like growth factor system related to maternal malnutrition during pregnancy are discussed.