Maternal-Neonatal Metabolic Continuity and Early Postnatal HPG Axis Activity in Healthy Term Neonates

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Neonatal Metabolism
• Reproductive Endocrinology

Background:

• Leptin plays a role in integrating metabolic and reproductive signals.
• The influence of maternal metabolic status on the early neonatal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between maternal metabolic markers and reproductive hormone activity in newborns.
• To explore the relationship between maternal and neonatal metabolic parameters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 40 healthy term neonates (20 males) and their mothers.
• Analysis of maternal and neonatal blood samples for adipokines and reproductive hormones.
• Statistical analysis using correlation, multivariable regression, and False Discovery Rate (FDR) correction.

Main Results:

• Maternal and neonatal leptin levels showed a positive correlation, indicating metabolic continuity.
• Maternal leptin was not significantly associated with neonatal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.
• Neonatal leptin correlated with triceps skinfold thickness; sex was the strongest predictor of neonatal LH.

Conclusions:

• Maternal metabolic markers are linked to neonatal metabolic parameters but show weak associations with early neonatal gonadotropin levels.
• Larger longitudinal studies are necessary to elucidate the interplay between metabolic and reproductive pathways during early development and mini-puberty.