(P30-019-24) A Protocol for MCAPS: The Maternal Carotenoid Status Across Pregnancy Study

Objectives: Pro-vitamin A carotenoids support vitamin A requirements for growth, development, immune function, and vision. Non-provitamin A carotenoids may also mitigate inflammation and improve visual and cognitive function in children and adults. However, the effects of pregnancy on carotenoid status are poorly understood. The goal of this study is to determine if pregnancy status and stage are determinants of plasma, skin, and macular carotenoids and markers of bioactivity in adult women.

Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant 18-40 year old females with lean (18.5-24.9) and overweight (25.0-29.9) BMIs are recruited from Houston, TX by flyer, newsletter, social media, and in-person. Participants complete assessments at 8-13, 23-24, and 33-34 wk gestation and 7-8 wk post-partum; or if non-pregnant, at 0, 11-12, 22-23, and 36-37 wk. Carotenoid intake is assessed by three 24-hr dietary recalls. Plasma, skin, and macular carotenoids are determined by HPLC, pressure-mediated reflection spectroscopy, and heterochromatic flicker photometry, respectively. Body mass and composition are assessed by scale, air displacement plethysmography, and total body potassium counting. Inflammatory status is assessed by serum IL-6 and TNF-α, and self-reported memory function is assessed by the Memory Assessment Clinics Questionnaire. At the post-natal visit, if applicable, adult participants are asked to provide a human milk sample for carotenoid analysis, and optionally enroll infants to measure anthropometrics, skin and plasma carotenoids, and dietary intake by food frequency questionnaire. Linear models of repeated measures will be used to test the effect of pregnancy status, stage, diet, and body composition on carotenoid biomarkers. A minimum group size of n=20/group was calculated based on the detection of a minimal difference of 0.1 ± 0.07 µmol carotenoids/L plasma between the 1st and 3rd trimesters and between pregnant and non-pregnant groups during the 3rd trimester timepoint.

Results: N/A

Conclusions: The findings of this study will contribute to developing specific dietary recommendations for maternal and infant nutrition.

Funding Sources: USDA/ARS