Sex-specific associations between feto-placental growth and maternal physical activity volume and sitting time: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort study

Jade M Kubler; Kassia S Beetham; Sarah E Steane; Olivia J Holland; Danielle J Borg; Kym M Rae; Sailesh Kumar; Vicki L Clifton

doi:10.1016/j.placenta.2024.12.027

Sex-specific associations between feto-placental growth and maternal physical activity volume and sitting time: Findings from the Queensland Family Cohort study

Placenta. 2024 Dec 31:160:107-117. doi: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.12.027. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Jade M Kubler¹, Kassia S Beetham², Sarah E Steane³, Olivia J Holland⁴, Danielle J Borg¹, Kym M Rae⁵, Sailesh Kumar¹, Vicki L Clifton⁶

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia.
² School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, Australia.
³ School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.
⁴ School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Southport, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia; Indigenous Health Research Group, Mater Research Institute, Aubigny Place, South Brisbane, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Medicine, Mater Research Institute-University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia. Electronic address: Vicki.clifton@mater.uq.edu.au.

PMID: 39787953
DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.12.027

Abstract

Introduction: Antenatal physical activity (PA) is associated with beneficial changes in placental growth and function; however, the effect of excessive sitting time is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether feto-placental growth changes with maternal activity, and whether these associations differ in a sex-specific manner.

Methods: This study included women enrolled in the Queensland Family Cohort study who self-reported PA and sitting time at 24 or 36 weeks of gestation. Placental growth factors and feto-placental growth parameters at delivery were analysed by PA volume and sitting time, as well as by fetal sex.

Results: Women who reported excessive sitting time during mid-pregnancy and had a female fetus showed higher placental PlGF (p = 0.031) and FLT1 (p = 0.032) mRNA expression with no difference in placental size at delivery. For the male, excessive sitting time during mid-pregnancy was associated with a lower placental weight (p = 0.001) and placental surface area (p = 0.012) and a higher birthweight to placental weight (BWPW) ratio (p = 0.042), with no change in placental growth factors. Moderate volume PA during mid-pregnancy was associated with lower VEGFA mRNA expression in the male placenta (p = 0.005) and a higher abdominal circumference in the female neonate (p = 0.042), with no overall difference in placental weight or birthweight for either sex.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that mid-pregnancy may be an important timepoint for programming of feto-placental growth in relation to maternal activity. Our findings highlight the independent benefits of reducing sitting time during pregnancy, particularly for women carrying male fetuses.

Keywords: Exercise; Placenta; Pregnancy; Sedentary behaviour; Vascular endothelial growth factors.