Fat overload in maternal diet induces placentomegaly and fetal macrosomia in pregnant rats: Role of leptin.

WHITE VERÓNICA; MARTÍNEZ NORA; CAPOBIANCO EVANGELINA; JAWERBAUM ALICIA

Santiago

Congreso; International Federation of Placenta Associations Meeting: “Fetus and Placenta: a perfect harmony”; 2010

International Federation of Placenta Associations - Simposio Latinoamericano de Interacción materno-fetal y Placenta

Introduction: Fat overload in maternal diet can increase lipid transfer across the placenta to the developing fetus. This may cause fetal metabolic alterations and macrosomia. Placental endothelial (EL) and lipoprotein (LPL) lipases are key regulators of maternal-to-fetal lipid transport. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of fat overload in the diet of pregnant rats on maternal, fetal and placental weight, as well as leptin, insulin and lipid profile in maternal and fetal plasma, and to analyze placental expression of lipases, evaluating the role of leptin in the expression of EL and LPL. Methods: Rats were subjected to a standard diet (control) with 5% fat or a fatty diet (FD) enriched with 25% saturated fat. Also, fetuses from control rats were injected with leptin (200 ng) or vehicle through the uterine wall on days 19, 20 and 21 of gestation. Maternal plasma, placentas, fetuses and fetal plasma were obtained on day 21 of gestation. Plasma insulin and leptin levels were evaluated by EIA, lipid levels by colorimetric assays, and placental expression of EL and LPL by PCR. Maternal weight gain, and fetal and placental weight were greater in FD group (p