Does leptin in the ovine fetus correlate with fetal and placental size?
Ovine fetal tissues express RNA for leptin and its receptor. Circulating leptin concentrations in the ovine intrauterine growth restriction fetus were significantly elevated on gestational day 138 compared with controls. Fetal leptin concentrations were inversely related to uterine blood flow and fetal and placental weight. These findings suggest that fetal leptin may be involved in an adaptive response to intrauterine growth restriction.
A high percentage of PI patients use fat-soluble vitamins below recommendations. Therefore adequate monitoring of vitamin supplementation and status is warranted.