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Umbilical Venous Leptin Concentration and Gender in Newborns

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The Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation: JSGI Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the relationship between umbilical venous leptin concentration and gender in 20 pairs of newborns matched 1:1 for birth weight and gestational age at sampling.

Materials

Blood samples were obtained from 40 women at delivery, identified as having an uncomplicated pregnancy. Umbilical venous blood samples were obtained from their newborns (20 females and 20females) at birth. Specimens were analyzed using a human leptin 125-I radioimmunoassay.

Results

Fetal leptin correlated positively with birth weight (rs= 0.541; P < .001). Umbilical venous leptin concentrations in female newborns (median: 10.7 ng/mL, range: 3.5−34.4 ng/mL) were significantly higher (P = .028) than in male newborns (median: 7.7 ng/mL, range: 2.0−19.3 ng/mL). There was no significant correlation between maternal and fetal leptin concentrations. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed birth weight and gender to be independent factors influencing fetal cord leptin.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that in the fetus, as in children and adults, gender and weight are the major determinants of circulating leptin levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology, Division of Obstetrics, Division of Special Gynecology, University of Vienna Medical School, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, A-1090, Austria

    Thomas Laml MD, Oliver Preyer MD, Isabella Schulz-Lobmeyr MD, Ernst Ruecklinger PhD, Beda W. Hartmann MD & Peter Wagenbichler MD

  2. Institute for Statistical Analyses, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Laml MD, Oliver Preyer MD, Isabella Schulz-Lobmeyr MD, Ernst Ruecklinger PhD, Beda W. Hartmann MD & Peter Wagenbichler MD

  3. Ignaz-Semmelweis-Frauenklinik der Stadt Wien, Vienna, Austria

    Thomas Laml MD, Oliver Preyer MD, Isabella Schulz-Lobmeyr MD, Ernst Ruecklinger PhD, Beda W. Hartmann MD & Peter Wagenbichler MD

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  1. Thomas Laml MD
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  2. Oliver Preyer MD
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  3. Isabella Schulz-Lobmeyr MD
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  4. Ernst Ruecklinger PhD
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  6. Peter Wagenbichler MD
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Correspondence to Thomas Laml MD.

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Laml, T., Preyer, O., Schulz-Lobmeyr, I. et al. Umbilical Venous Leptin Concentration and Gender in Newborns. Reprod. Sci. 8, 94–97 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155760100800206

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