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A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Cambridge University sheds light on the cause behind the widespread occurrence of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, providing insights that could revolutionize treatment and prevention methods for expectant mothers.
Published in Nature, the study identifies a key hormone produced by the fetus, known as GDF15, as the primary trigger for pregnancy-related sickness. The severity of symptoms experienced by expectant mothers hinges on both the level of GDF15 produced by the fetus and the mother’s exposure to this hormone before pregnancy.
The findings suggest a novel approach to averting pregnancy sickness by pre-exposing mothers to GDF15, potentially boosting their resilience against its effects.
Dr. Sanjeev Dang, an ENT surgeon at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Delhi, underscored the correlation between colder weather and increased bacterial or viral activity, leading to ear inflammation and associated symptoms.
“This discovery signifies a pivotal milestone in understanding pregnancy sickness,” stated Professor Sir Stephen O’Rahilly, Co-Director of the Wellcome-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge, who led the collaborative study.
The research indicates a direct link between the level of GDF15 released into the bloodstream by the fetal part of the placenta and the degree of nausea and vomiting experienced by expectant mothers. Additionally, the study revealed that a woman’s sensitivity to this hormone during pregnancy is influenced by her pre-pregnancy exposure to GDF15.
Moreover, the team found a genetic variant associated with higher risks of severe pregnancy sickness that correlated with lower levels of GDF15 in the blood outside of pregnancy. Conversely, individuals with a genetic blood disorder, beta thalassemia, showcased minimal nausea or vomiting due to their naturally high pre-pregnancy levels of GDF15.
The study also conducted experiments on mice, illustrating that exposure to high levels of GDF15 induced signs of nausea, while those treated with a long-acting form of the hormone did not display similar symptoms. This observation suggests the potential of pre-pregnancy tolerance building against the hormone as a preventive measure.
Dr. Marlena Fejzo from the University of Southern California, co-author of the study and personally familiar with hyperemesis gravidarum, expressed hope for effective treatments resulting from this breakthrough research.
The collaborative efforts involved institutions from the UK, the USA, and Sri Lanka, primarily funded by the Medical Research Council and Wellcome, signaling a significant advancement in the understanding and potential management of pregnancy sickness.
