Oxidative stress in pregnancy and fertility pathologies

Oxidative stress designates the state of imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant levels. In a healthy placenta, there is an increase in ROS production, due to formation of new tissues and inherent metabolism, but this is balanced by higher levels of antioxidants. However, this balance is lost in some situations, with a consequent increase in oxidative stress levels. Oxidative stress has been implicated in several placental disorders and pregnancy pathologies. The present review intends to summarize what is known about the relationship between oxidative stress and well-known pregnancy disorders

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on fetal vessels among obese pregnant women

Objective To determine the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in placental hypoperfusion in obesity. Methods the prospective study enrolled women with a first-trimester singleton pregnancy in Izmir, Turkey, between January and April 2011. Participants were divided into three groups: obese (body mass index [BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters] >30) with cesarean delivery; normal weight (BMI <30) with vaginal delivery (NVD); and healthy controls (BMI <30) with cesarean delivery. Before delivery, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), and uterine and fetal Doppler measurements were taken. VEGF was evaluated immunohistochemically from the umbilical cord. Results Overall, 109 women completed the study: obesity group (n=13, 11.9%), NVD group (n=50, 45.9%), and control group (n=46, 42.2%). Serum CRP was higher in the obesity group than in the control or NVD groups (P=0.009). VEGF score was highest in the NVD group (9.39 +/- 3.11), and lowest in the obesity group (4.58 +/- 2.78) (P<0.001). VEGF score decreased by 0.81 for each increase in BMI of 1 (P=0.002). Conclusions Maternal obesity was related to decreased VEGF expression. Although not supported by Doppler findings, decreased VEGF expression owing to maternal obesity might trigger endothelial dysfunction and inflammation