Inverse relationship between gestational weight gain and glucose uptake in human placenta from female foetuses

Abstract

Background Maternal obesity and gestational weight gain (GWG) have a significant impact on the in utero environment, and thus on foetal development and the health of the offspring later in life. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effect of maternal pre-existing obesity and maternal GWG on glucose uptake from placentas from male and female offspring. Methods Total glucose uptake was measured in placental explants using radio-labelled glucose. Results In the female placentas (n = 36), GWG and glucose uptake were significantly negatively correlated (r = -0.7, P < 0.0001; n = 36), and customized birthweight centile correlated with placental glucose uptake (r = 0.36, P = 0.03) b..