The prolonged effect of repeated maternal glucocorticoid exposure on the maternal and fetal leptin/insulin-like growth factor axis in Papio species.
BACKGROUND
Maternal obesity represents a risk factor for pregnancy-related complications. Glucocorticoids are known to promote obesity in adults.


METHODS
We evaluated maternal and fetal metabolic changes during and after 3 weekly courses of betamethasone administered to pregnant baboons (Papio subspecies) at doses equivalent to those given to pregnant women.


RESULTS
Betamethasone administration during the second half of pregnancy increased maternal weight but neither maternal food intake nor fetal weight, as assessed at the end of gestation. Betamethasone increased maternal serum glucose concentration, the ratio of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, and serum leptin during treatment (normalized by 17, 35, and 45 days posttreatment, respectively, for each parameter). Maternal and fetal serum leptin concentrations did not differ between groups at the end of gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged maternal hyperleptinemia caused by betamethasone administration in the second half of gestation did not change fetal metabolic parameters measured and placental leptin distribution at the end of gestation.
Schlabritz-Loutsevitch
Natalia E
NE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. schlabritzlu@uthscsa.edu
Lopez-Alvarenga
Juan C
JC
Comuzzie
Anthony G
AG
Miller
Myrna M
MM
Ford
Stephen P
SP
Li
Cun
C
Hubbard
Gene B
GB
Ferry
Robert J
RJ
Nathanielsz
Peter W
PW
D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002585:Cesarean Section; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D020567:Fetal Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II / Q000378:metabolism; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D048548:Papio cynocephalus; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D020738:Leptin; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007335:Insulin-Like Growth Factor II; D002784:Cholesterol; D001623:Betamethasone; D006854:Hydrocortisone