Resistin in pregnancy: analysis of determinants in pairs of umbilical cord blood and maternal serum

Background. Serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are increased in pregnancy. Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a significant player in lipoprotein metabolism. Circulating PCSK9 downregulates the LDL receptor on the surface of the liver, inhibiting clearance of LDL-C. Therefore, our study assessed serum PCSK9 concentrations at parturition (Maternal) compared to a nonpregnant (Control) cohort, as well as between mother and newborn (Maternal and Newborn). Methods. Blood was collected from women at parturition and from umbilical cords. Serum lipids and PCSK9 were measured and data were analysed for significance by Mann-Whitney U test at P<0.05 and presented as median levels. Spearman's correlations were made at a 95% confidence interval. Results. Serum PCSK9 was significantly higher in Maternal versus Control cohorts (493.1 versus 289.7 ng/mL; P<0.001, resp.), while the Newborn cohort was significantly lower than Maternal (278.2 versus 493.1 ng/mL; P<0.0001, resp.). PCSK9 was significantly correlated with TC and HDL-C in Maternal and with TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C in Newborn cohorts. Conclusions. Our study provides the first quantitative report on PCSK9 in pregnancy (at parturition) and in umbilical cord blood. Further research will determine how these changes may affect lipoprotein levels during this physiological state.

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Mass spectrometry methods measured androgen and estrogen concentrations during pregnancy and in newborns of mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-15-0699 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 174 (1) ◽

pp. 25-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Mirte R Caanen ◽

Esther A Kuijper ◽

Peter G Hompes ◽

Mark M Kushnir ◽

Alan L Rockwood ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Maternal Serum ◽

Causative Role ◽

Ovary Syndrome

ObjectiveLittle is known about the aetiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Some suggest that elevated maternal androgens during gestation play a causative role. This implies placental passage of androgens during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to compare androgen and estrogen concentrations in maternal serum during pregnancy and in umbilical cord blood, between mothers with PCOS and their offspring compared to controls.DesignProspective case–control study.MethodsMaternal blood samples were collected around 20 weeks of gestation and at delivery. Umbilical cord blood was also taken at delivery. Androgens (testosterone (T), androstenedione (ADION), dehydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA)) and estrogens (estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3)) were measured using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods.ResultsAt 20 weeks of gestation: T (P=0.019) and ADION (P=0.034) were higher in the PCOS mothers (pregnant with a girl), whereas DHEA, E1, E2, and E3were not different. Maternal concentration at birth: T (P=0.004) and ADION (P=0.009) were also higher in the subgroup of PCOS mothers that were pregnant with a girl compared to the girl pregnancy controls. DHEA, E1, E2and E3were not different. In umbilical cord blood, no differences were found for T, ADION, DHEA, E2, E3, and AMH between the PCOS mothers and the controls respectively. E1was lower in girls from PCOS mothers (P=0.007).ConclusionsDespite elevated maternal androgen concentrations during pregnancy in PCOS mothers, offspring showed no signs of elevated androgen concentrations in cord blood at birth using the latest highly specific LC-MS/MS methods.

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Cord blood parameters change in pregnancy induced hypertension

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20171850 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 2099 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Purnima Meher ◽

Sitanshu Kumar Meher ◽

Sunil Kumar Jena

Keyword(s):

Platelet Count ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Umbilical Cord ◽

Absolute Neutrophil Count ◽

Umbilical Cord Blood ◽

Neutrophil Count ◽

Reticulocyte Count ◽

Pregnancy Induced Hypertension ◽

Induced Hypertension ◽

In Pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is a multisystem disease of unknown etiology which affects only human beings. It poses several problems to both mother and child. Complications in newborns like intrauterine death (IUD), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), perinatal asphyxia, neonatal sepsis and bleeding disorders are associated with toxaemia of pregnancy. To decrease the perinatal morbidity and mortality, babies of hypertensive mothers should be carefully monitored and managed. Aim of this study was to establish the changes in total platelet count, reticulocyte count and absolute neutrophil count of umbilical cord blood in pregnancy induced hypertension as compared to normotensive mothers.Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 60 subjects including 30 case (diagnosed cases of pregnancy induced hypertension) and 30 control (normotensive pregnant women). The case group was again categorized into three subgroups – gestational hypertension (06), pre-eclampsia (16) and eclampsia (08). In all the subjects, 2 ml of umbilical cord blood anticoagulated with EDTA was collected and haematological tests for reticulocyte count, total platelet count (TPC) and absolute neutrophil count was done.Results: There was significant decrease in TPC (p<0.01) and absolute neutrophil count (p<0.01), but significant rise in reticulocyte count (p<0.05) in umbilical cord blood of babies born to hypertensive mothers compared to normotensive mothersConclusions: From this study, it can be concluded that newborns of hypertensive mothers carry risks for infection and bleeding complications. So, these simple haematological tests can be done at early stage in neonates to reduce possible perinatal morbidities and mortality.

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