Placental and Cord Blood Telomere Length in Relation to Maternal Nutritional Status

Abstract

Background The uterine environment may be important for the chromosomal telomere length (TL) at birth, which, in turn, influences disease susceptibility throughout life. However, little is known about the importance of specific nutritional factors. Objectives We assessed the impact of multiple maternal nutritional factors on TL in placenta and cord blood. Methods In a population-based mother–child cohort in northwestern Argentina, we measured maternal weight, BMI, body fat percentage (BFP), and several nutrients [selenium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iodine, vitamin B-12, folate, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3)], hemoglobin, and homocysteine in maternal whole blood, serum, plasma, or urine during pregnancy (mean gestational week 27). We measured the relative TL (rTL) in placenta (n = 99) and cord blood (n = 98) at delivery by real-time PCR. Associations were evaluated by multivariable-adjusted linear regression. Results The women's prepregnancy BMI (kg/m2; mean ± SD: 23.7 ± 4.1), body weight (55.4 ± 9.9 kg), and BFP (29.9 ± 5.5%), but not height (153 ± 5.3 cm), were inversely associated with placental rTL (P < 0.01 for all), with ∼0.5 SD shorter rTL for an IQR increase in prepregnancy body weight, BMI, or BFP. Also, impedance-based BFP, but not lean body mass, in the third trimester was associated with shorter placental rTL. In addition, serum vitamin B-12 (232 ± 96 pmol/L) in pregnancy (P = 0.038), but not folate or homocysteine, was associated with shorter placental rTL (0.2 SD for an IQR increase). In contrast, plasma 25(OH)D3 (46 ± 15 nmol/L) was positively associated with placental rTL (P < 0.01), which increased by 0.4 SD for an IQR increase in 25(OH)D3. No clear associations of the studied maternal nutritional factors were found with cord blood rTL. Conclusions Maternal BMI, BFP, and vitamin B-12 were positively associated, whereas 25(OH)D3 was inversely associated, with placental TL. No association was observed with cord blood TL. Future studies should elucidate the role of placental TL for child health.

Associations of Maternal Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Telomere Length in the Cord Blood and Placenta in Chinese Population

“…However, few studies indicate a discrepancy in the results of TL in the cord blood compared to the placenta (19,57), and we found no differences in TL between the cord blood and the placenta in the current study. Meanwhile, TL in the placenta may have different responses from cord blood cells to environmental stimuli, including maternal nutritional status (17,19,33). Recently, Vahter et al have reported that maternal BMI, body fat percentage, and vitamin B 12 are inversely associated with placental TL, whereas 25 (OH) D 3 is positively associated, and no associations were observed with cord blood TL (19).…”

“…As the pregnancy progresses, telomerase activity in the placenta declines, resulting in shortened TL across gestation with the shortest telomeres at term (54,55), probably due to the increasing production of mediators, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines, neutrophil recruitment chemokines, and arachidonic acid metabolites of chorioamniotic cells in the third trimester of pregnancy (56). However, few studies indicate a discrepancy in the results of TL in the cord blood compared to the placenta (19,57), and we found no differences in TL between the cord blood and the placenta in the current study. Meanwhile, TL in the placenta may have different responses from cord blood cells to environmental stimuli, including maternal nutritional status (17,19,33).…”

“…Meanwhile, TL in the placenta may have different responses from cord blood cells to environmental stimuli, including maternal nutritional status (17,19,33). Recently, Vahter et al have reported that maternal BMI, body fat percentage, and vitamin B 12 are inversely associated with placental TL, whereas 25 (OH) D 3 is positively associated, and no associations were observed with cord blood TL (19).…”

“…Telomere length is strictly regulated in the placenta and embryo by telomerase, playing a crucial role in fetal development (18). It has been reported that TL and telomerase activity in embryos are related to the common genomic stability at the cleavage stage of human development (19). More importantly, TL in early life rather than in adulthood might be more important in predicting lifespan because it has more effects on subsequent tissue function (20).…”

Cellular aging and telomere dynamics in pregnancy

“…Recently, researchers have also investigated the association between maternal nutritional status and placental tissue telomere length [23 ▪ ]. They found that greater maternal body-mass index, body fat percentage, and vitamin B-12 status were associated with shorter placental relative telomere length whereas greater vitamin D levels were associated with longer placental telomere length.…”