Adipokines and their relation to maternal energy substrate production, insulin resistance and fetal size (original) (raw)

2013, European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

The number of large for gestational age (LGA) infants, born of non-diabetic women, has increased during the last decades [1]. Infants born LGA are at increased risk for perinatal complications as well as metabolic disease later in life [2-4]. Maternal overweight and obesity are related to increased infant size [3]. During pregnancy several physiological alterations occur, one of which is a metabolic adaptation to ensure an optimal supply of glucose, amino acids and triacylglycerols to the fetus. The mechanisms behind this process, however, are yet to be elucidated. The adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, are of interest in this respect, given their involvement in satiety control, regulation of body fatness, insulin resistance and energy expenditure [5]. Several studies on the relationship between adipokines and body composition, energy expenditure, and insulin resistance during pregnancy have been performed, but so far no reports on the relationship between adipokines and maternal energy substrate