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Do Anti-angiogenic or Angiogenic Factors Contribute to the Protection of Birth Weight at High Altitude Afforded by Andean Ancestry?

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Abstract

Objective

This prospective study was designed to determine whether variation in angiogenic (placental growth factor [PlGF]) and/or anti-angiogenic (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase [sFlt-1]) factors contribute to the protective effect of highland ancestry (Andean) from altitude-associated reductions in fetal growth.

Study design

Plasma sFlt-1 and PlGF levels, uterine artery (UA) blood flow, and fetal biometry were determined in low-altitude (400 m; Andean n = 27, European n = 28) and high-altitude (3600 m; Andean n = 51, European n = 44) residents during pregnancy (20 and 36 weeks) and 4 months postpartum.

Results

High-altitude decreased sFlt-1 levels in both groups, Andeans had lower sFlt-1, comparable PlGF, lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratios, and higher UA blood flow throughout pregnancy relative to Europeans. Altitude decreased birth weight in Europeans but not Andeans. In high-altitude Europeans sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1 levels were negatively associated with UA diameter and birth weight, respectively.

Conclusions

Lower sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PLGF ratio may contribute to or result from variations in maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy between Andean and Europeans at high altitude. Subsequently, these effects could potentially influence ancestry-associated differences in birth weight.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Altitude Research Center, Mail Stop F-524, University of Colorado-Denver, 12469 East 17th Place, Bldg 400, 80045, Aurora, CO, USA

    R. Daniela Dávila MD, Colleen G. Julian PhD, Megan J. Wilson PhD, Vaughn A. Browne MD, PhD & Lorna G. Moore PhD

  2. Department of Health and Behavioral Science, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA

    Colleen G. Julian PhD & Megan J. Wilson PhD

  3. Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Laboratory, University of Colorado-Denver, Aurora, CO, USA

    R. Daniela Dávila MD

  4. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA

    Lorna G. Moore PhD

  5. Instituto Boliviano de Biología de Altura, La Paz, Bolivia

    R. Daniela Dávila MD & Enrique Vargas MD

  6. Clinica Siraní, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

    Carmelo Rodriguez MD

  7. Anthroplogical Genetics Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA

    Abigail W. Bigham PhD & Mark D. Shriver PhD

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  1. R. Daniela Dávila MD
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  2. Colleen G. Julian PhD
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Correspondence to R. Daniela Dávila MD.

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Dávila, R.D., Julian, C.G., Wilson, M.J. et al. Do Anti-angiogenic or Angiogenic Factors Contribute to the Protection of Birth Weight at High Altitude Afforded by Andean Ancestry?. Reprod. Sci. 17, 861–870 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719110372418

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