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Serum leptin concentrations during the perinatal period
A Sarandakou1, E Protonotariou, D Rizos
1Hormone Laboratory, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Greece.
Insights
Maternal serum leptin is elevated during pregnancy, while infant leptin levels decrease after birth. Umbilical cord leptin correlates with infant birth weight, suggesting a placental role in fetal growth regulation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Perinatal Medicine
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Leptin, a key regulator of energy homeostasis, plays a role in fetal development.
- Understanding leptin dynamics during the perinatal period is crucial for assessing fetal growth and maternal-fetal interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maternal and infant serum leptin concentrations around childbirth.
- To explore the relationship between leptin levels and neonatal birth weight.
Main Methods:
- Serum leptin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Samples included maternal serum, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, and infant serum on days 1 and 5 postpartum.
- Nonpregnant women served as controls.
Main Results:
- Infant serum leptin significantly decreased from umbilical cord to day 5 postpartum.
- Maternal serum leptin was significantly higher than in infants and controls.
- Amniotic fluid leptin was lower than in controls.
- Umbilical cord leptin, but not maternal serum leptin, correlated with infant birth weight.
Conclusions:
- Elevated maternal serum leptin and decreasing infant leptin post-birth suggest a placental source.
- Leptin likely contributes to the regulation of fetal body weight during pregnancy.
Abstract:
We aimed to study maternal and infant serum leptin concentrations during the perinatal period and their relationship to the body weight of mothers and newborns. Serum leptin values were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) (R&D systems) in 26 healthy, term neonates during the first (N1) and fifth (N5) day after birth and were compared with serum leptin values in maternal blood (MS), amniotic fluid (AF), and umbilical cord (UC) at delivery. Twenty-five healthy, nonpregnant women, age and body weight-matched to the mothers, were used as controls (C). Infant serum leptin concentrations declined significantly after birth from UC to the N5 samples (p<0.003). MS leptin values were significantly higher than UC, N1, N5, and C values (p<0.001), while AF values were significantly lower than in controls (p<0.001). UC, but not MS leptin values correlated significantly with the birth weight of infants (r = 0.6; p<0.03). The elevated values of leptin in maternal serum and the regressing pattern of infant leptin values after birth suggest an additional, probably placental source of this protein during pregnancy, possibly contributing to the regulation of fetal body weight.