Increase In Maternal Body Weight Research Articles

High birth weight and greater gestational age at birth in singletons born after frozen compared to fresh embryo transfer

ObjectiveWhile many studies agree that the fetal birth weight is higher after frozen embryo transfer (FET), few studies have explored the difference in fetal weight change during such pregnancies. This cohort study was to identify the difference in fetal birth weight and gestational age at birth between singletons born following fresh ET and those born following FET. Materials and methodsThis was a hospital-based cohort study using clinical data from the Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Obstetric and Neonatal Database from January 1, 2007, to December 1, 2018. A sample of 784 eligible women who had singleton pregnancies and live-born deliveries after 428 fresh ET or 356 FET between January 2007 and December 2018. ResultsCompared with those in the fresh ET group, singletons in the FET group had higher birth weight (3137 g [2880–3441 g] vs. 3060 g [2710–3340 g], p < 0.05), were born later (39.0 weeks of gestation [38.0–40.0 weeks] vs. 38.0 weeks of gestation [37.0–39.0 weeks], p < 0.05), and had a lower incidence of preterm birth (10.4% vs. 15.2%, p < 0.05). The difference in birth weight was not associated with maternal body weight (BW) or body mass index, increase in maternal BW in the third trimester, but related to the total increase in maternal BW during pregnancy. ConclusionsThe birthweight of singletons born following FET and fresh ET became significant in the late third trimester. The main reason is that singletons conceived from FET were at a lower relative risk of preterm delivery and had a higher gestational age at birth.

The influence of monitoring activities on maternal weight gain among pregnant women.

Background: The relationship between nutritional status in early life and the risk of chronic diseases in the future development of the child is a critical factor that needs to be considered. The basic factors that can help in this case include thrifty phenotype hypothesis, developmental plasticity, fetal programming and weight gain regulation. This study aims to determine the average increase in weight gain before and after mentoring program.Design and methods: The sample was taken randomly from 191 pregnant women. From number of women mentored, 106 that met the inclusion criteria. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test then was used in the data analysis.Results: The results show that the average body weight of women increased 18.94%, while the BMI rose by 7.46%. Mentoring program led to an increase in maternal body weight, indicated with a P-value of 0.000.Conclusions: In conclusion, mentoring program influences bodyweight in pregnant women. Therefore, it is vital to maintain a high nutritional status during pregnancy.Significance for public healthMaternal weight gain during pregnancy is an important determinant of birth outcomes. Gestational weight gain is directly associated with birth weight for gestation length, a marker of fetal growth, which is directly associated with child health and non-communicable disease on the future. This paper describes the correlation between mentoring activity and weight gain during pregnancy.

Hypoproteinemia as a parameter of poor perinatal/neonatal outcomes in women with preeclampsia diagnosed as hypertension plus proteinuria.

To investigate the relationship between serum total protein (TP) levels and maternal/neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with preeclampsia. TP was measured at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery in 94 women with singleton pregnancies and preeclampsia as hypertension with proteinuria who delivered at≥22 gestational weeks (GWs). As a control group, measurements were also made in 188 women with singleton pregnancies without hypertension and/or proteinuria. The relationship between serum TP levels and maternal outcomes. Serum TP levels showed a significantly negative relationship with urine protein-to-creatinine (P/C) ratio at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery. Serum TP levels at delivery in the preeclampsia group (53±7g/L) were lower than in the control group (61±4g/L, P<0.0001). In each group, there was no relationship between the daily decrease in TP and the daily increase maternal body weight. However, there was a positive relationship between the daily increase in P/C ratio and the daily increase in maternal body weight in the preeclampsia group (P=0.0021). Severe hypoproteinemia at preeclampsia diagnosis was a predictor of abruptio placentae (TP<49g/L; odds ratio, 21.3) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (TP<45g/L; odds ratio, 43.5). Furthermore, women with severe hypoproteinemia at delivery had higher morbidity due to pulmonary edema (TP<55g/L; odds ratio, 26.4) and central serous chorioretinopathy (TP<42g/L; odds ratio, 264). Serum TP levels and proteinuria severity at preeclampsia diagnosis and delivery showed a positive relationship and predicted poor maternal outcome.

Walking Program of Low or Vigorous Intensity During Pregnancy Confers an Aerobic Benefit

Walking is the most popular activity during pregnancy and may confer an aerobic benefit. However, the minimum intensity threshold of a maternal walking program for an aerobic conditioning response is unknown. The purpose was to examine the effect of a walking program of a low-intensity (LI, 30% heart rate reserve, HRR) or vigorous-intensity (VI, 70%HRR) on maternal cardiorespiratory responses to a standard submaximal treadmill test. Normal weight pregnant women were randomized at study entry (16-20 weeks of gestation) to the LI (n=23) or VI (n=21) walking program, with nutritional control. Participants performed a steady-state treadmill exercise test at their prescribed intensity pre- and post-intervention (34-36 weeks) to evaluate changes in cardiorespiratory responses. Increasing body mass due to pregnancy was similar between the groups throughout the study. From pre- to post-intervention, relative (mL kg - 1 min - 1) VO2 and VCO2 during steady-state submaximal treadmill exercise did not change in the LI group but decreased in the VI group (- 1.25±2.71, p=0.02 and - 1.50±2.64, p=0.005, respectively). Both groups presented increases in oxygen pulse (p≤0.002). Our results showed that the energy cost of walking was not affected by the increase in maternal body weight in the LI group and was decreased in the VI group, suggesting an aerobic conditioning response in both groups, although the VI group presented a greater response. All women presented similar body mass throughout the intervention and delivered healthy babies, indicating that a prenatal walking program of low or vigorous intensity, combined with healthy eating habits, is safe and beneficial to the mother and fetus.

Different levels of overnutrition and weight gain during pregnancy have differential effects on fetal growth and organ development

BackgroundNearly 50% of U.S. women of child-bearing age are overweight or obese, conditions linked to offspring obesity and diabetes.MethodsUtilizing the sheep, females were fed a highly palatable diet at two levels of overfeeding designed to induce different levels of maternal body weight increase and adiposity at conception, and from conception to midgestation. Fetal growth and organ development were then evaluated at midgestation in response to these two different levels of overfeeding. Ewes were fed to achieve: 1) normal weight gain (control, C), 2) overweight (125% of National Research Council [NRC] recommendations, OW125) or 3) obesity (150% of NRC recommendations, OB150) beginning 10 wks prior to breeding and through midgestation. Body fat % and insulin sensitivity were assessed at three points during the study: 1) diet initiation, 2) conception and 3) mid-gestation. Ewes were necropsied and fetuses recovered at mid-gestation (day 78).ResultsOB150 ewes had a higher % body fat than OW125 ewes prior to breeding (P = 0.03), but not at mid-gestation (P = 0.37). Insulin sensitivity decreased from diet initiation to mid-gestation (P = 0.04), and acute insulin response to glucose tended to be greater in OB150 ewes than C ewes (P = 0.09) and was greater than in OW125 ewes (P = 0.02). Fetal crown-rump length, thoracic and abdominal girths, and fetal perirenal fat were increased in the OW125 and OB150 versus C ewes at mid-gestation. However, only fetal heart, pancreas, and liver weights, as well as lipid content of fetal liver, were increased (P < 0.05) in OB150 ewes versus both C and OW125 ewes at midgestation. ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that different levels of overfeeding, resulting in differing levels of maternal weight gain and adiposity prior to and during pregnancy, lead to differential effects on fetal overgrowth and organ development.

Gestational Age Dependency in the Prenatal Toxicity and in the Disposition Kinetics of the Novel Anticonvulsant HEPP (D,L-3-Hydroxy-3-ethyl-3-phenylpropionamide) after Subcutaneous Administration in Pregnant Rats

HEPP (D,L-3-hydroxy-3-ethyl-3-phenylpropionamide) is a novel anticonvulsant with promising anticonvulsant profile, which is being actively researched. The potential maternal and embryo/fetal toxicities of HEPP were evaluated in pregnant rats following subcutaneous (s.c.) administration during organogenesis (gestation days 6 through 14, GDs 6-14) and the fetal period (GDs 14-21). Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics were also evaluated at the same periods in order to establish possible correlations with some maternal or embryo/fetal toxicity end points. Embryotoxicity was mainly indicated by a significant dose-concentration dependency in the increase in resorptions, high percentage of fully resorbed litters, and decrease in embryo body weights during the GD6-14 dosing period. No gross external alterations were observed in live fetuses. There was no indication of maternal toxicity; but a marked increase in maternal body weight was evident following dosing from GD14 to GD21. The maternal plasma profile following single subcutaneous dose of 50 mg/kg on both GD14 and GD21 showed a monoexponential elimination pattern. Statistically significant differences between treatments (GD14 versus GD21) were observed in elimination (k(el) = 0.12 versus 0.15 h(-1)), absorption (k(a) = 2.01 versus 3.14 h(-1)), maximum plasma concentration time points (T(max) = 1.49 versus 1.01 h); maximum plasma concentration (C(max) = 40.23 versus 36.31 microg/ml) and areas under the concentration-time curve (AUCs(0-infinity) = 421.88 versus 274 microg h/ml. Based on comparisons of C(max), T(max), and AUCs(0-infinity) between the actual data and single intraperitoneal (i.p.) data previously published, the s.c. administration exhibited slower disposition and higher absorbed amount. After multiple-dose administrations of 50 and 100 mg/kg every 12 h (07:00 and 19:00 h), steady-state plasma levels were lower than the computer prediction, and only slight accumulation was observed. In both dosing periods HEPP levels were similar in mothers and offspring at steady-state conditions. The high incidence of embryo death and reduced embryo weight at GD6-14 dosing compared to GD14-21 dosing suggest that embryos are more sensitive to the deleterious effects of HEPP than fetuses; however, the faster elimination observed at late gestation could also contribute to the lower toxicity observed during the fetal period. Because the maternal HEPP plasma levels and the AUC values were positively correlated with embryo/fetal toxicity end points, both pharmacokinetic parameters could be reliable indicators of offspring exposure and consequently of potential toxicity. These data suggest that the length of time that HEPP is present in the maternal plasma at a sufficiently high concentration could be determinant of adverse effects in the offspring.

The impact of pregnancy on the long-term weight gain of primiparous women in England

To investigate the impact of pregnancy on long-term weight gain of primiparous mothers in England, and to identify potential risk factors for maternal obesity. A retrospective, repeat-pregnancy study which examined the change in maternal body weight from the beginning of the first successful pregnancy to the beginning of the second. Two hundred and forty-three mothers, all of whom had been weighed during the first trimester of their first and second pregnancies, and none of whom had fallen pregnant less than 12 months after the birth of their first child. Sociodemographic, behavioural, medical, obstetric and perinatal data, together with antenatal measurements of maternal body weight and height, were extracted from each mother's obstetric notes. A comprehensive survey of weighing scales used at all antenatal clinics was undertaken. After accounting for the effect of ageing, there was no significant long-term increase in mean maternal body weight following the first pregnancy (95% Confidence Intervals: -0.82-0.28kg). While most mothers (70.8%) gained 1.0 kg or less, 24.7% gained more than 1.54 kg. Even after accounting for the maximum error in clinic scales, 14.8% of the mothers gained 1.54 kg or more in association with their first pregnancy. Mothers with higher BMIs at the beginning of their first pregnancy, who gained more weight during pregnancy, gave birth to heavier babies and had longer intervals between their pregnancies, gained significantly more weight from one pregnancy to the next. Pregnancy has little impact on the mean weight gain of primiparous women from England, who have a low prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 26.0, 25.5%). Nevertheless, pregnancy may be associated with a permanent increase in maternal body weight simply because it is a period of positive energy balance during which some women gain excessive weight. Other factors, such as prepregnant BMI, determine whether long-term weight gain actually occurs.

Pregnancy as a risk factor for obesity: lessons from the Stockholm Pregnancy and Weight Development Study.

Pregnancy and maternal body weight development are intertwined in complicated patterns. In most studies, an increase in maternal body weight with age and parity has been reported. For women who develop obesity, pregnancies can, in retrospect, be identified as important triggering life events. In a retrospective analysis of 128 women at our Obesity Unit, 73% of these severely obese patients had retained more than 10 kg in connection with a pregnancy. For the general population, the effect of a pregnancy on future weight development is surprisingly difficult to predict. In The Stockholm Pregnancy and Weight Development Study, the effects of pregnancy on weight retention one year after delivery were studied in 1423 women. Data were collected retrospectively from routine pregnancy records and then extended prospectively 6 and 12 months after delivery. The mean weight retention associated with a pregnancy one year after delivery was estimated to about 0.5 kg, with a range of -12 to +26 kg. Fourteen percent of the women gained more than 5 kg. Weight increase during pregnancy was the strongest predictor for sustained weight retention 1 year later. Prepregnancy weight did not predict the weight development outcome. The lactation pattern had only a minor influence on weight development. Smoking cessation was an important predictor for sustained weight increase. More weight retention was observed in those women who reported a change in lifestyle as regarded eating habits, meal patterns, and physical activity, suggesting that eventual body weight after pregnancy is more determined by the changes in association with that particular pregnancy than with the lifestyle before.

Uteroplacental blood flow at rest and during exercise in late-gestation conscious rats.

The present studies were conducted to achieve three specific aims. First, techniques and procedures were developed to allow tissue and organ blood flow measurements by radioactive microsphere methodology in the conscious female rat. Second, technical aspects of the methodology were evaluated with emphasis on potential uteroplacental shunting of microspheres in the late-gestational period. Third, the above techniques and procedures were utilized to assess uteroplacental blood flow at rest and during exercise in conscious pregnant rats during the late stages of gestation, i.e., days 15, 19, and 22 of pregnancy. Results established the validity of tracer blood flow technical assumptions, and no significant increase in arteriovenous shunting of 15-microns microspheres either as pregnancy progressed or during superimposed exercise in near-term pregnant animals was detected. During the stages of pregnancy studied, cardiac output was enhanced approximately 20% near term. Marked and progressive increases in uterine blood flow were noted both in milliliters per minute and as percentage of cardiac output. Preferential placental perfusion during late-stage gestation was indicated by increased tissue flow (7 +/- 1, 84 +/- 12, 232 +/- 32 ml.min-1 x 100 g-1), increased percent cardiac output (1.7 +/- 0.1, 5.1 +/- 0.7, 11.0 +/- 1.7% cardiac output), and increased percent uterine blood flow (10 +/- 1, 59 +/- 3, 87 +/- 2% uterine flow) at days 15, 19, and 22 of gestation, respectively. Progressive maternal body weight increase during gestation enhanced exercise work intensity, as shown by heart rate and cardiac output at the end of 30 min of treadmill running at 8.5 m/min, 0% incline.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Different response to maternal hypothyroidism during the first and second half of gestation in the rat.

Female rats were mated and thyroidectomized (T) on the same day and divided into four groups. Three groups were subsequently treated daily with 1.8 micrograms L-T4/100 g body wt: 1) for the first 12 days [T + T4 (I)]; 2) from the 12th day until death [T + T4 (II)]; or 3) for the entire 21-day study [T + T4 (I + II)]. The other T animals were maintained without treatment. (T), and another group of mated rats were sham operated (C). Maternal body weight increase during gestation did not differ between T + T4 (I + II) and C dams, whereas it was smaller in T dams from the 7th gestational day onward. Neither interruption of T4 treatment in the T + T4 (I) rats after the 12th day nor treatment initiated at that time in the T + T4 (II) group modified their body weights. At day 21, the weights of the maternal conceptus-free body and liver, the placenta, and the fetuses were lower in the T and T + T4 (II) animals than in either the C and the T + T4 (I + II) animals. Maternal plasma T4 and pituitary GH content were reduced, and plasma TSH was enhanced in both T and T + T4 (I) dams. In fetuses, plasma TSH concentration was augmented in T and T + T4 (I) rats and unchanged in T + T4 (II) animals when compared with those of T + T4 (I + II). Pituitary GH content was reduced in T and T + T4 (II) fetuses and unchanged in the T + T4 (I) group. We propose that maternal thyroidectomy greatly decreases the thyroid hormone levels in embryonic structures during the first half of gestation and inhibits normal maternal metabolic changes during this period. In addition to interfering with normal fetal development, these effects reduce the quantity of maternal substrates available to fetuses during the last phase of gestation. In contrast, when maternal hypothyroidism occurs during the second half of gestation, the effects are not as detrimental because fetal thyroid gland activity is adequate, and maternal catabolic adaptations are not impaired.

Diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy in mice: correlations between maternal weight, fetal and placental mass and the maternal serum levels of progesterone, pregnancy-associated murine protein-2 and α-fetoprotein

Outbred Bom:NMRI mice were weighed daily for 18 days from observation of a vaginal plug. In a separate experiment, fetuses and placentae were weighed on each day of pregnancy. Pregnancy can be determined with 99% certainty on day 12 of gestation by the maternal body weight increase from day 1. The pregnancy-specific proteins alpha-fetoprotein (m-AFP) and pregnancy-associated murine protein-2 (PAMP-2), of fetal and placental origin respectively, were detectable on days 8 and 10 in the maternal circulation. Significant correlations were observed between m-AFP and fetal weight and PAMP-2 and placental weight. These markers may therefore be useful in the monitoring of fetal growth and placental growth respectively.

Effects of continuous low-level exposure to radiofrequency radiation on intrauterine development in rats.

To assess the effect of low-level radiofrequency radiation on pregnant rats, gravid dams were exposed continuously to 0.1 mW cm-2 at 27.12 MHz during different periods of pregnancy. Biological assays consisted of determining pre- and post-implantation losses and the effects on maternal body weight increase. Fetal parameters monitored included sex, mean viable fetal weight on Day 20 of gestation, external, skeletal and visceral fetal malformations, anomalies and variations. Dosimetric evaluations were made in terms of average specific absorption rate (SAR) and basal metabolic rate (BMR). Findings included a considerable increase in the percentage of total resorptions, reduced body weight increase in the exposed dams and incomplete cranial ossification in their fetuses. Results obtained were compared with those shown by other authors. It seems possible to ascribe some of the effects to a specific action of the radiofrequency radiation occurring independently of the rise in temperature. The hypothesis the exposure time, together with SAR, plays an important role in inducing specific exposure effects due to radiofrequency radiation is presented.

Reproduction studies of VP 16-213 (II)--Oral administration to rats during the period of fetal organogenesis

VP 16-213 (etoposide, abbr. to VP), an oncostatic drug, was administered orally to pregnant Crj: CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats from day 7 through 17 of gestation at dose levels of 1, 3 and 10 mg/kg/day. The summarized results obtained are as follows: VP 10 mg/kg suppressed the maternal body weight increase from day 12 through 20 of gestation. VP 10 mg/kg brought the inhibition of fetal growth accompanied by the lowered values in body weight and body length. Furthermore, the elevated incidences of skeletal anomalies and unossified 5th and 6th sternums, as well as retarded ossification of thoracic vertebrae were also noted in this dose level. VP 10 mg/kg induced anophthalmia, microphthalmia and dilated lateral ventricles in fetuses (F1), as well as unilateral anophthalmia in offspring (F1). VP 10 mg/kg increased the days required for opening of eyelids and descending of testes in offspring (F1), but failed to affect their learning ability, motility, motor activity or emotional development. VP 10 mg/kg suppressed the growth of genital organs in F1 rats of both sexes, but failed to affect their reproductive ability or gestation period. As for F2 newborns derived from F1 rats whose dams had ever received VP 10 mg/kg during the period of fetal organogenesis, the number of implantations and survivors as well as birth indexes lowered due to changes in these items restricted to a few litters. Based on these results, the no-effect dose level of VP under the present experimental condition was estimated to be 3 mg/kg/day against dams and their offspring.

Role of concepta in the production of hypertrophy and hydration of maternal body organs in the third week of pregnancy in albino rats.

Summary. It was found that increase in foetal weight in albino rats in the 3rd week of pregnancy was accompanied by an increase in the dry weight of placenta and uterine wall and a decrease in the water levels of foetus and placenta. It was not correlated with the increased water levels of the uterine wall. Of the increase in maternal body weight not due to weight of uterus, some 7% was due to increased weight of gastro-intestinal contents and the remainder to increase in dry weight or water levels, or both, of a series of body organs such as skeletal muscle, skin, liver, spleen, ovaries and adrenal glands. Increase in weight of body organs was not positively correlated with the very considerable increase in weight of concepta. Hypertrophy and hydration of maternal body organs did not appear to be due, therefore, to metabolic demands associated with the marked increase in conceptal weight during the third week. Increase in weight of the foetus was associated with a decline in the weight of certain organs such as pyloric stomach. The weight of the ovaries declined as placental weight increased.