Antioxidant Homeostasis Is Disturbed in Fetuses With Leptin-Resistant Genotypes: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: leptin resistance is associated with lower reproductive efficiency, with deficiencies in embryo viability and growth leading to low prolificacy and high incidence of intrauterine growth restriction. objective: we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of the leptin-resistance, evaluating the antioxidant homeostasis of leptin-resistant and lean swine fetuses. materials and methods: the study included 70 plasma samples from fetuses at day 62 of gestation (mid-pregnancy), from breeds with (iberian breed; n=35) and without leptin resistance (25% large white x 25% landrace x 50% pietrain; n=35). the antioxidant status of the plasma samples was determined by photoinduced chemiluminescence whilst systemic oxidative stress was assessed determining plasma hydrogen peroxide concentration by enzimoimmunoassay. results: plasma total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in leptin-resistant fetuses (p=0.003), whilst systemic oxidative stress was increased (p=0.02). conclusion: our results indicate key differences in the antioxidant status in pregnancies affected by leptin resistance.