[Serum leptin ++ concentration in fetal and maternal compartments].
OBJECTIVE
Presumable role of leptin, the product of ob gene, is signalling the energy stores to the brain. Moreover, leptin is also responsible for the food intake through the influence on the appetite. Since the fetal energy metabolism is strongly dependent on maternal nutritional health, leptin should be of peculiar importance during pregnancy.


METHODS
Fifteen full-term pregnant women (mean age 27.5 +/- 6.4 years; mean gestational age 39.2 +/- 2.5 weeks; mean parity 2.1 +/- 0.9) were enrolled into the study. Immediately after delivery blood was taken from mother antecubital vein and from the umbilical cord vessels (vein and artery). Leptin concentrations in the sera were estimated by the RIA method using Linco Research Human Kit-USA.


RESULTS
The highest mean serum leptin concentration was found in maternal compartment (21.9 +/- 12.9 ng/ml) and this value was significantly higher than observed in umbilical artery 4.36 +/- 2.65 ng/ml; p < 0.001). The leptin concentration in umbilical vein was 13.1 +/- 10.7 ng/ml and this value was not statistically different than concentration found in umbilical artery (p = 0.054) and mother antecubital vein (p = 0.1). A strong positive correlation was found between maternal serum leptin concentration and maternal body mass (r = 0.5; p < 0.001) and between fetal umbilical artery leptin concentration and newborn body mass (r = 0.7; p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Among full term pregnant women strong positive correlation between serum leptin concentration and body mass was found. Even better correlation was observed between umbilical artery leptin concentration and newborn body mass. Relatively big serum leptin concentration gradient between mother and umbilical vessels indicates that placenta might play an important role in leptin production.
Kulik-Rechberger
B
B
I Katedry Pediatrii AM w Lublinie.
Kamiński
K
K
Rechberger
T
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy
D037102:Lectins