Determining the source of fetal adiponectin.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether maternal, placental or fetal compartment contributes to the high levels of cord blood adiponectin.


METHODS
Serum adiponectin levels were compared from 62 newborns and their mothers as well as 32 newborns at delivery and 4 days postpartum. In addition, human placental tissues were tested for the presence of adiponectin mRNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Cord blood serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher and did not correlate with maternal adiponectin levels (32.5 +/- 7.5 vs. 11.0 +/- 3.6 microg/mL, p < 0.001). Cord blood and day 4 serum adiponectin did not differ significantly (32.6 +/- 7.6 vs. 29.5 +/- 8.4 microg/mL, p < 0.3). In addition, adiponectin mRNA was not expressed in the placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings preclude the possibility of a placental or maternal origin of cord adiponectin. Thus, the high cord adiponectin levels may be attributed to fetal tissues.
Mazaki-Tovi
Shali
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Institute of Endocrinology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Kanety
Hannah
H
Pariente
Clara
C
Hemi
Rina
R
Efraty
Yael
Y
Schiff
Eyal
E
Shoham
Ann
A
Sivan
Eyal
E
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002585:Cesarean Section; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D047929:Term Birth
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D052242:Adiponectin; D012333:RNA, Messenger