Alterations in circulating adiponectin levels occur rapidly after parturition

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of adiponectin and its subforms before and immediately after delivery to estimate the effect of cessating advanced pregnancy on circulating adiponectin levels.

DESIGN AND METHODS: In a cohort of 37 women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies and 6 women with twin pregnancies, serum adiponectin was measured before caesarean section (CS) in the fasting state, and 24 and 48 h after CS.

RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels declined within 24 h of delivery from median 8.34 mg/l (range 5.57-20.47) to 6.81 mg/l (4.16-17.39) after 24 h and 6.84 mg/l (3.83-17.42) after 48 h. This corresponded to a relative decrease to 83+/-6 and 81+/-7% of pregnant values after 24 and 48 h respectively (P<0.001, ANOVA). In twin pregnancies, maternal adiponectin levels displayed a decrease that was the same as that displayed by them after birth (P<0.001). High-molecular weight adiponectin constituted 50+/-8% (range 34-68%) of total adiponectin. Absolute changes in adiponectin levels after delivery were most pronounced in this subfraction. The percentage medium-molecular weight adiponectin decreased slightly, but significantly (from 37+/-6 to 35+/-5%, P<0.001), and a similar statistically significant rise was observed in the low-molecular weight fraction (from 13+/-2 to 15+/-3%; P<0.001) within 48 h of delivery.

CONCLUSIONS: Decreases in adiponectin levels occur shortly after delivery, and adiponectin subforms initiate the changes towards the non-pregnant state.