Diet and regulatory control of uterine contractions during labour (focus on maternal obesity).

Maternal obesity rates will be 50% by 2050 and associated pregnancy complications will rise significantly, particularly the increased risk of prolonged and dysfunctional labour and emergency caesarean delivery. Poor uterine activity is a key component of this increased risk but the biological mechanism is yet to be identified and is a key focus of this study. Obesity is associated with diets high in cholesterol, saturated fat and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) but low in omega-3 PUFAs. The level of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs in the diet is important because they produce hormones (prostaglandins) that regulate uterine contractions and cervical dilation during labour. As a result weak uncoordinated contractions and prolonged labour seen in obese pregnant women may result from the level of omega-6 and omega-3 PUFAs consumed in their diet. This PhD project will determine whether uncoordinated contractions and prolonged labour caused by a HFHC diet can be prevented by increasing consumption of PUFA during pregnancy, Uterine and placental tissues and plasma obtained from our animal model of obesity alongside human biopsy samples and plasma from women will be used. Uterine and placental tissue will be used in contractility studies and for quantification of proteins and genes that regulate contractile activity. Plasma samples will be used to quantify circulating lipids and fatty acids but also prostaglandin and steroid hormones key to labour. This approach will determine the regulatory role of PUFAs on uterine contractions and the timing and length of labour.