title: The effects of adipose tissue and adipocytokines in human pregnancy.
abstract: During pregnancy, important changes take place in maternal metabolism because of the growing fetus and placental formation. The increase in insulin resistance during pregnancy is paralleled by the progressive increase of maternal adipose tissue deposition. This review examines the topography of fat mass deposition during pregnancy in relation to factors such as parity and maternal age that might affect this deposition. We also examine adipose tissue markers, such as pregravid weight and weight gain during pregnancy, and their effect on fetal growth and pregnancy outcomes. In addition, this review studies the possible effects of cytokines that are produced by adipose tissue and the placenta on maternal metabolism and its complications. Finally, we also consider the possible role of maternal adipocytokines and fetal adipocytokines on fetal growth.
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. gedvalsamakis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valsamakis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mastorakos
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines