Antioxidant homeostasis is disturbed in fetuses with leptin-resistant genotypes: A cross-sectional study

Leptin resistance is associated with lower reproductive efficiency, with deficiencies in embryo viability and growth leading to low prolificacy and high incidence of intrauterine growth restriction.

We aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the leptin-resistance, evaluating the antioxidant homeostasis of leptin-resistant and lean swine fetuses.

The study included 70 plasma samples from fetuses at day 62 of gestation (mid-pregnancy), from breeds with (Iberian breed; n=35) and without leptin resistance (25% Large White x 25% Landrace x 50% Pietrain; n=35). The antioxidant status of the plasma samples was determined by photoinduced chemiluminescence whilst systemic oxidative stress was assessed determining plasma hydrogen peroxide concentration by enzimoimmunoassay.

Plasma total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in leptin-resistant fetuses (p=0.003), whilst systemic oxidative stress was increased (p=0.02).

Our results indicate key differences in the antioxidant status in pregnancies affected by leptin resistance.