Serum adiponectin levels are significantly reduced during the second half of normal pregnancy.

Purpose: To demonstrate the physiologic changes in adiponectin levels during the first vs second half of pregnancy.

Methods: Sixty-six females with uncomplicated pregnancies and normal pre-gestational BMI had serum adiponectin levels obtained at various gestational ages. Thirty-one samples were obtained during the first half of their pregnancy vs 35 in the second half. Thirty-three healthy non-pregnant females with comparable ages and BMI were controls.

Results: Mean adiponectin levels were 9.55 microg/dl (95% CI 8.2-10.77) vs 9.48 microg/dl (95% CI 8.44-10.66) in the control group in the first half of pregnancy (p = NS). We noted a 21% reduction in mean adiponectin levels (7.51 microg/dl) during the second half of pregnancy (p = 0.03) compared to the first half of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Early pregnancy does not affect adiponectin levels. However, there is a significant reduction in adiponectin levels during the second half of pregnancy.