Zinc and copper concentrations in serum from Spanish women during pregnancy

Abstract

A cross-sectional study of serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in 31 healthy pregnant women and 51 healthy, nonpregnant controls living in the Mediterranean area of Granada, Spain, was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A, consisted of pregnant women in three categories according to the trimester of pregnancy, and Group B consisted of nonpregnant women acting as controls. In pregnant women, serum Zn levels were found from 0.300-1.340 mg/L and serum Cu from 0.936-2.304 mg/L, whereas in the nonpregnant women group, the mean serum levels were 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L for Zn and 1.092+/-0.365 mg/L for Cu. Serum Zn progressively decreased with gestation. Mean Zn levels were 0.829+/-0.253, 0.846+/-0.329, and 0.620+/-0.142 mg/L, corresponding to the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Serum Zn concentrations were significantly lower in pregnant women as compared to controls: 0.712+/-0.236 mg/L vs 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L, respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, Cu levels increased with period of gestation from 1.053+/-0.498 mg/L in the first trimester to 1.616+/-0.304 mg/L in the second and 1.689+/-0.344 mg/L in the third. Serum Cu levels in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those determined during the first trimester and for nonpregnant controls. Both Zn and Cu during pregnancy did not appear to be dependent on the subject's age (p > 0.05).

Serum Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Studies have reported that the increase in serum copper during pregnancy is mainly due to an increase in its carrier proteins, ceruloplasmin, which increase in response to stimulation by elevated levels of maternal estrogens [13,24]. In line with our observation, a very low prevalence (2.7%) of copper deficiency was reported from pregnant women in India [16] and China [15].…”

“…Other micronutrient deficiencies are likely to be widely prevalent, especially those of iodine, zinc, and vitamin A [1,8,9]. Although several studies have documented the status of one or two micronutrients among pregnant women [11][12][13][14], little information is available on the extent of multiple micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy [15,16]. Therefore, the present study was aimed to determine serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium in Ethiopian pregnant women and to compare these to those in apparently healthy non-pregnant women.…”

Depressed Antioxidant Status in Pregnant Women on Iron Supplements: Pathologic and Clinical Correlates

“…The significantly lower level of Zn in the Fe supplement compared to the nonsupplement group suggests that these activities will be compromised in the supplement group. The observed lower level is consistent with the findings of Martin-Lagos et al [34], Rathi et al [33], and Ajose et al [35]. It is, however, inconsistent with the report of Arnaud et al [36] that their patients on Fe maintained stable Zn level in the last trimester of pregnancy.…”

Trace Element Status (Se, Cu, Zn) in Healthy Portuguese Subjects of Lisbon Population: A Reference Study

“…Several studies have actually inferred a relationship between serum Cu levels and oral contraception and/or pregnancy, suggesting that the estrogen component of the oral contraceptives is responsible for increased Cu and ceruloplasmin levels in plasma (13,42,43). Estrogens induce ceruloplasmin synthesis in the liver, which leads to an increase in serum Cu levels (13,43,44). The marked elevated Cu status during pregnancy is probably necessary for adequate fetal development, as Cu-dependent enzymes play relevant roles in the organization of connective tissue and bone mineralization (see the Introduction).…”