Midtrimester Amniotic Fluid Adiponectin in Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue–derived protein with important metabolic effects and a strong correlation with insulin sensitivity. In pregnancy there is a progressive increase of insulin resistance, whereas plasma adiponectin concentrations decrease in the 2nd half of gestation (1). In contrast, cord plasma adiponectin concentrations increase throughout gestation (2). Nothing is known about the concentration, origin, or role of amniotic fluid adiponectin, particularly in relation to amniotic insulin. Therefore we evaluated adiponectin and insulin concentrations in the midtrimester amniotic fluid of women with normal pregnancies. Beginning January 1, 2006, we selected the first 50 pregnant women who underwent a midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis (15–18 weeks gestation) and were found to have a normal pregnancy, defined as an uncomplicated pregnancy with full-term delivery of an infant of adequate size for gestational age. The study was approved by the institutional …