title: Myo-inositol, glucose and zinc concentrations determined in the preconceptional period, during and after pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the blood concentrations of myo-inositol, glucose and zinc before, during and after normal pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preconceptionally, at 6, 10, 20, 30 and 37 weeks amenorrhea, and 6 weeks after delivery, blood samples of 18 nulliparae and 19 multiparae were obtained and concentrations of serum inositol and glucose, and red blood cell zinc were determined. The data were analyzed using a linear mixed model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The preconceptional mean (S.E.M.) inositol concentration of 21.7 (1.03) micromol/L was comparable to the concentrations at 6 and 37 weeks amenorrhea, 22.2 (1.03) micromol/L, and 19.9 (1.10) micromol/L, respectively. However, the inositol concentrations at 10 and 20 weeks amenorrhea and post partum were significantly lower than the preconceptional inositol concentration, p<0.05. The preconceptional mean (S.E.M.) glucose concentration of 3.9 (1.03) mmol/L was comparable to the concentration at 6 and 10 weeks amenorrhea, 3.9 (1.04) mmol/L and 3.8 (1.04) mmol/L respectively. Also at 20, 30 and 37 weeks amenorrhea and after delivery the glucose concentration was significantly lower than the preconceptional glucose concentration, p<0.05. Preconceptional red blood cell zinc concentrations were comparable to concentrations at 6, 10 and 20 weeks amenorrhea. At 30 and 37 weeks amenorrhea and post partum the zinc concentrations were significantly higher than in the preconceptional period (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentrations of inositol, glucose and zinc significantly change during pregnancy. However, the preconceptional blood concentrations reflect the concentrations determined in the first pregnancy trimester rather well, which is important information to be used in future studies into the role of inositol, glucose and zinc in reproductive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pascal M W
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Groenen
authors.forename: Eva Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Roes
authors.forename: Petronella G M
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Peer
authors.forename: Hans M W M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Merkus
authors.forename: Eric A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: Régine P M
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Steegers-Theunissen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D007294:Inositol / Q000097:blood*; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood; D014131:Trace Elements; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D014131:Trace Elements; D007294:Inositol; D015032:Zinc