The Association between Gestational Cortisol & Maternal Metabolic Health
Disciplines
Endocrinology | Exercise Science | Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications | Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing | Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Systems and Integrative Physiology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Excess cortisol is associated with poor metabolic health, including insulin resistance and abdominal adiposity. Maternal cortisol levels increase three-fold to support fetal growth and development, however excess cortisol production is linked with adverse offspring outcomes.
Objectives: This study tests the associations between cortisol, abdominal fat, and insulin resistance in pregnancy.
Methods: Twenty-three participants (BMI = 30.85 ± 7.4, age = 27 ± 5) visited the KSU Exercise Science Physiology laboratory in early pregnancy (V1, 12-15 weeks) and late pregnancy (V2, 24-28 weeks). Blood samples were collected during each trimester, and body-fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. HOMA-IR was used for insulin resistance. Intra-abdominal-adipose-tissue (IAAT) and subcutaneous1 (SAT1) thicknesses were collected by ultrasound 1cm above the umbilicus. Preperitoneal-adipose (PPAT) and subcutaneous2 (SAT2) were collected immediately below the xiphoid process. Correlations were used to determine differences in SPSS, and body fat was controlled.
Results: HOMA-IR in early pregnancy was strongly and positively associated with SAT1 and SAT2 in visit one (p<0.05). Cortisol on visit three is strongly and negatively associated with HOMA in early pregnancy (p<0.05).
Conclusion: As expected, HOMA-IR and SAT1 and SAT2 were strongly and positively associated; contradistinctly, late pregnancy cortisol was negatively associated with early pregnancy HOMA-IR.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Exercise Science and Sport Management
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Katherine H. Ingram
Additional Faculty
Dr. Janeen S. Amason, Nursing, jamason1@kennesaw.edu
Dr. Brian Kliszczewicz, Exercise Science, bkliszcz@kennesaw.edu
The Association between Gestational Cortisol & Maternal Metabolic Health
Background: Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland. Excess cortisol is associated with poor metabolic health, including insulin resistance and abdominal adiposity. Maternal cortisol levels increase three-fold to support fetal growth and development, however excess cortisol production is linked with adverse offspring outcomes.
Objectives: This study tests the associations between cortisol, abdominal fat, and insulin resistance in pregnancy.
Methods: Twenty-three participants (BMI = 30.85 ± 7.4, age = 27 ± 5) visited the KSU Exercise Science Physiology laboratory in early pregnancy (V1, 12-15 weeks) and late pregnancy (V2, 24-28 weeks). Blood samples were collected during each trimester, and body-fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. HOMA-IR was used for insulin resistance. Intra-abdominal-adipose-tissue (IAAT) and subcutaneous1 (SAT1) thicknesses were collected by ultrasound 1cm above the umbilicus. Preperitoneal-adipose (PPAT) and subcutaneous2 (SAT2) were collected immediately below the xiphoid process. Correlations were used to determine differences in SPSS, and body fat was controlled.
Results: HOMA-IR in early pregnancy was strongly and positively associated with SAT1 and SAT2 in visit one (p<0.05). Cortisol on visit three is strongly and negatively associated with HOMA in early pregnancy (p<0.05).
Conclusion: As expected, HOMA-IR and SAT1 and SAT2 were strongly and positively associated; contradistinctly, late pregnancy cortisol was negatively associated with early pregnancy HOMA-IR.