Placental expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene: associations with maternal overweight/obesity and neonatal anthropometry
Authors' conclusion
The results show associations between maternal pre-pregnancy OWO and altered expression of high- and low-affinity serotonin transport genes (SERT and PMAT, respectively). Among the genes analyzed, SERT may play a role in linking maternal OWO to fetal growth. The results underscore the importance of further functional studies into the placental serotonin system in the context of maternal OWO.
Study context
- Population
- Women giving birth at term by planned cesarean section; Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); placental tissue from the fetal side
- Participants
- 105 vs 111
- Exposure
- Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity vs normal weight
- OWOn = 105
- Normal-weight (NW)n = 111reference
- Outcome
- Placental expression of serotonin-regulating genes (metabolic enzymes, transmembrane transporters, receptors) in relation to pre-pregnancy BMI, with possible moderation by NGT vs GDM
- Follow-up
- Term
Methodological detailsGene expression quantified by RT-qPCR and/or ELISA
- Gene expression quantified by RT-qPCR and/or ELISA
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Placental serotonin-regulating gene expression
- PMAT mRNA significantly upregulated with pre-pregnancy OWO, regardless of GDM status
- p = 0.014
- In NGT, not GDM: pre-pregnancy OWO associated with decreased placental SERT mRNA
- p = 0.001
- Placental SERT protein increased with pre-pregnancy OWO and further elevated with concurrent GDM
- p = 0.005
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Placental SERT mRNA and neonatal anthropometry
- Higher placental SERT mRNA negatively predicted birth weight and newborn length
- In NGT, SERT mRNA partially mediated the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and birth weight
Original publication
Placental expression of the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene: associations with maternal overweight/obesity and neonatal anthropometry. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 27 September 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →