Changes in Circulating Levels of Adiponectin During the Periconceptional Period

Abstract

Adiponectin, an adipose-derived hormone involved in metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory processes, has gained relevance in ovarian function, implantation, and early pregnancy. Adiponectin and body mass index (BMI) are inversely related, and pre-conception BMI is thought to predict early pregnancy adiponectin levels. Animal studies show an association between low adiponectin and subfertility due to impaired folliculogenesis and dysregulated reproductive hormones. However, in humans, within-individual trajectories of adiponectin across the peri-conceptional period, which we define as 8 weeks pre- to 8 weeks post-conception, are poorly characterized as existing research is largely cross-sectional or conducted using animal models. To address this gap, we will analyze longitudinal changes in adiponectin in females during this period. We hypothesize that human females with pre-conception BMI >25 will exhibit lower adiponectin levels across the periconceptional period, which will consequently be associated with reduced early pregnancy success.  

We will use pre-existing longitudinal data from the Society, Environment and Reproduction (SER) study of Kaqchikel Mayan females in rural Guatemala. Participants were parous women not using hormonal contraception and living with a co-resident partner. First-morning urine samples were collected three times per week and analyzed using multiplex immunoassays to quantify adiponectin and related reproductive biomarkers. Linear mixed-effects models with regression splines will be used to model within-individual adiponectin trajectories across the periconceptional window. By providing a longitudinal description of adiponectin across this reproductive transition in a natural fertility population, this study will clarify links between maternal metabolic status and early reproductive outcomes.