Do anti-angiogenic or angiogenic factors contribute to the protection of birth weight at high altitude afforded by andean ancestry?

Abstract

Abstract. Objective: This prospective study was designed to determine whether variation in angiogenic (placental growth factor [PlGF]) and/or anti-angiogenic (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase [sFlt-1]) factors contribute to the protective effect of highland ancestry (Andean) from altitude-associated reductions in fetal growth. Study design—Plasma sFlt-1 and PlGF levels, uterine artery (UA) blood flow, and fetal biometry were determined in low-altitude (400 m; Andean n = 27, European n = 28) and highaltitude (3600 m; Andean n = 51, European n = 44) residents during pregnancy (20 and 36 weeks) and 4 months postpartum. Results—High-altitude decreased sFlt-1 levels in both groups, Andeans had lower sFlt-1, comparable PlGF, lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratios, and higher UA blood flow throughout pregnancy relative to Europeans. Altitude decreased birth weight in Europeans but not Andeans. In highaltitude Europeans sFlt-1/PlGF and sFlt-1 levels were negatively associated with UA diameter and birth weight, respectively. Conclusions—Lower sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PLGF ratio may contribute to or result from variations in maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy between Andean and Europeans at high altitude. Subsequently, these effects could potentially influence ancestry-associated differences in birth weight. © The Author(s) 2010 Corresponding Author: R. Daniela Dávila, MD, Altitude Research Center, Mail Stop F-524, University of Colorado–Denver, 12469 East 17th Place, Bldg 400, Aurora, CO 80045, USA daniela.davila@ucdenver.edu. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Reprod Sci. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 February 8. Published in final edited form as: Reprod Sci. 2010 September ; 17(9): 861–870. doi:10.1177/1933719110372418. NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Ma