Causes of Oxidative Stress in the Pre- and Perinatal Period

Abstract

Oxidative stress may be defined as an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant forces resulting in an overall pro-oxidant insult. Pregnancy is a physiological state accompanied by a high energy demand of many bodily functions and an increased oxygen requirement. Because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen, augmented levels of oxidative stress would be expected. Arguments for a role of oxidative stress/oxidative lipid derivatives in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia are documented in many papers and evidence continues to accumulate that oxidative stress is a mediator of endothelial dysfunction and thus contributes to the cardiovascular complications of preeclampsia. Also other conditions, such as toxic substance exposure, smoking and asphyxia likewise induce oxidative stress. The oxidized lipid products generated as a consequence of these conditions are highly reactive and cause damage to cells and cell membranes. Thus, increased oxidative stress accompanied by reduced endogenous defences may play a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases in the newborn.

Effect of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation on oxidative stress levels during pregnancy

“…Placental production of lipid peroxides decreases as normal gestation advances, most likely because of an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase [27]. Placental antioxidant defense is considered sufficient to control lipid peroxidation in healthy pregnancy [23]. Our data showed that there was a discrepancy between the levels of oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation at delivery.…”

“…Moreover, the placenta is a major source of oxidative stress because of its enrichment with PUFA [23]. Falkay et al suggested that the increase in the lipid peroxide levels was due to the increased prostaglandin synthesis in the placenta [24].…”

Glutathione S-transferase A1 polymorphism and the risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion in Chinese Han population

“…Since pregnancy is a high metabolic state and accompanied by elevated requirement for tissue oxygen, women with pregnancies are more subject to the oxidative stress compared to the non-pregnant women [5]. A deficient detoxification system in pregnant women may result in the RSA due to the increased exposure of embryo to exogenous and endogenous compounds.…”

Assessment of lipid and protein peroxidation markers in non-pregnant and pregnant female dogs

“…As pregnancy and fetal growth progress, an overproduction of ROS in placental and fetal mitochondria is observed (Kim et al 2005). It is thought that the placenta is a major source of oxidative stress in pregnant females (Gitto et al 2002, Myatt and Cui 2004, Hung et al 2010. A significant part of the total indicators of pregnancy-related oxidative stress may derive from the placenta's mitochondrial mass, which increases with gestational age (Wang and Walsh 1998).…”

“…Pregnancy is a period when oxidative stress can be expected due to the high energy demand and increased oxygen requirement, together with the increased metabolic activity in placental mitochondria (Gitto et al 2002). Evidence for this concept can be found in studies demonstrating elevated levels of oxidative stress markers during normal pregnancy in women (Wickens at al.…”