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Journal Article 2009; 30(6): 729-732 PubMed PMID: 20038928 Citation  Keywords:  Adiponectin:blood, Adult, Blood Glucose:metabolism, Female, Fetal Development:physiology, Humans, Insulin:blood, Insulin Resistance, Leptin:blood, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First:metabolism, Ultrasonography, Prenatal,.   

OBJECTIVE: Fetal growth is determined by genetic factors and placental supply. There is evidence that insulin might contribute to the up-regulation of placental transporter activity. The dysregulation of adiponectin and leptin is found in insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of maternal plasma cytokine and insulin concentrations in the first trimester of pregnancy to fetal growth.

METHODS: 55 women with singleton pregnancy, between 12th and 14th weeks of gestation, were included to the study. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin, leptin, insulin and glucose were analyzed together with fetal ultrasound measurements and neonatal birth weight. The HOMA-IR were calculated (fasting insulin (microU/ml) x fasting glucose (mmol/l/22.5) to assess the insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS: Mean concentrations of adiponectin, leptin and insulin were 15.29 +/- 13.83 microg/ml, 6.93+/-5.39 ng/ml and 43.59+/-26.28, respectively. The average insulin resistance defined by HOMA-IR was 1.35+/-0.8. The ratios of adiponectin to leptin, adiponectin to insulin and HOMA-IR were calculated. The percentiles of fetal crown-rump length (CRL) were negatively correlated with adiponectin plasma concentration (r=-0.32; p<0.05), with no relation to leptin and insulin plasma concentration. Correlations between fetus CRL percentile and the ratio of adiponectin to leptin concentration (r=-0.37; p<0.02) and adiponectin to HOMA-IR (r=0.35; p<0.05) were also observed. No association between adiponectin, leptin, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and neonatal birth weight or birth weight percentile was found. The percentile of fetal CRL in the 1st trimester was positively correlated with neonatal birth weight percentile (r=0.3; p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study imply that maternal adiponectin concentration may play a role in early determination of fetal growth....

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Journal Article 2008; 29(1): 87-90 PubMed PMID: 18283242 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Circadian Rhythm:physiology, Female, Fetal Development:physiology, Fetal Weight:physiology, Models, Animal, Organ Size, Photoperiod, Placenta:pathology, Placentation:physiology, Pregnancy, Random Allocation, Rats, Rats, Wistar,.   

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of circadian rhythm changes on fetal-placental development in pregnant rats.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Pregnant rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. Group 1: 12 hours light 12 hours dark period (n:10, Control Group); Group 2: 6 hours light 6 hours dark period (n:10); Group 3: constant light group (n:10); Group 4: constant dark group (n:10). Rats were made to deliver by cesarean birth at the end of their pregnancy and their placenta, number and weight of the offspring, and placental histopathological changes were examined.

FINDING: Fetal number in the constant dark group was found significant in comparison to constant light group (p<0.01). Fetal weight in all groups with altered circadian rhythm was significantly lower than that in the control group (p<0.01). The decrease in fetal weight was more evident in the constant light group than in the constant dark group (p<0.01). Comparison of the histopathological findings of the placenta showed that placental edema, fibrin accumulation and leukocyte infiltration were significantly higher in constant light and constant dark groups than in other groups (p<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Circadian rhythm change in pregnancy adversely affects the fetal-placental development. More detailed studies are needed to clarify this mechanism....

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Journal Article 2006; 27(1-2): 277-280 PubMed PMID: 16648799 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Carbohydrate Metabolism:physiology, Diabetes, Gestational:blood, Diet, Diabetic, Fatty Acids, Nonesterified:blood, Female, Fetal Blood:chemistry, Fetal Development:physiology, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents:therapeutic use, Insulin:therapeutic use, Pr.   

AIM OF THE STUDY: The investigation of the influence of maternal serum free fatty acids (FFA) levels on the course of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: On the basis of GDM diagnosis 52 diabetic and 39 non-diabetic pregnant women were recruited to the study. Treatment modalities for diabetic group included diet alone (GDM1; n-36) or a combination of insulin and diet (GDM2; n-16). Maternal serum free fatty acids were measured before treatment, after 4 weeks therapy, during delivery and in umbilical cord blood.

RESULTS: Plasma levels of FFA were higher in GDM pregnant women treated later only by diet compare with GDM patients required later insulin and non-diabetic gravidas. In GDM diet treated group plasma FFA levels progressively decreased with treatment duration. The plasma FFA levels in umbilical cord blood did not differ between the study groups. We found a positive correlation between maternal venous and umbilical cord blood concentration of free fatty acids. Maternal FFA levels positively correlated with neonatal births weight.

CONCLUSION: Elevated plasma FFA levels are associated with GDM and can influence fetal growth. Early and intensified GDM treatment may decrease the level of circulating fatty acids....

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