Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Published on: October 24, 2025
Circulating follistatin in the human foetus at term birth
G Sebastiani1, M Díaz, A López-Bermejo
1Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Esplugues, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
Prenatal weight partitioning is gender specific, and infants born small for gestational age (SGA) have a lower fat mass and a lower fat-free mass than infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Follistatin is an adipokine with adipogenic properties.
Objectives:
We examined whether follistatin circulates in the human foetus at term birth and, if so, whether cord blood follistatin relates to birthweight and neonatal body composition.
Methods:
The study population was comprised of 248 term newborns (128 girls, 120 boys; 133 AGA, 115 SGA). The main outcome measures used for the study were birthweight, follistatin and insulin in umbilical cord serum, and neonatal body composition by absorptiometry.
Results:
Follistatin was detectable in all cord serum samples. Cord follistatin concentrations were similar in girls and boys, being about 25% higher (P < 0.001) in SGA than AGA infants. In SGA infants, higher follistatin concentrations related to lower fat mass.
Conclusion:
[corrected] Follistatin is detectable in the circulation of the human foetus at term birth. The circulating levels of follistatin, an adipogenic adipokine, are higher in SGA than AGA infants, particularly so in SGA infants with a lower fat mass.
Related Concept Videos
Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Ovarian Cycle
Development of Blood Vessels
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...

