Concentration of cord serum adiponectin in normal and gestational diabetic pregnancies

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of intrauterine environment on adiponectin level in cord blood through comparison of normal pregnancy group and gestational diabetes group. MethodsThis cross sectional study included women with: normal pregnancy (n = 204); and patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (n = 204).Among GDM patients, 118 were managed with diet alone and 86 were insulin requiring.Cord serum adiponectin concentration at birth was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsCord serum adiponectin concentration was higher in GDM treatment pregnancies compared with normal pregnancies (P = 0.02).Cord serum adiponectin concentration was higher in female compared with male fetuses both normal and gestational diabetes pregnancies (P = 0.04, P = 0.03).In normal pregnancies, cord serum adiponectin concentration was positively correlated with gestational age (r = 0.2374, P < 0.02).In normal pregnancies, cord serum adiponectin concentration did not correlated with birth weight (r = -0.05,P > 0.05).Cord serum adiponectin concentration was not different between only diet treated women and insulin requiring women in GDM (P > 0.05). ConclusionSex dimorphism for adiponectin and the change of adiponectin in GDM offsprings, fi rst appear in utero.Higher adiponectin levels in females or GDM offsprings refl ect increased adiposity of the fetuses.