Vitamin D3 in anterior adipose tissue of pregnant women: depostion of vitamin D3 and the influence of exposure to sunlight and fatty fish consumption on the deposition of vitamin D3 in anterior adipose tissue.

Titel of the study
Vitamin D3 in anterior adipose tissue of pregnant women: deposition of vitamin
D3 and the influence of exposure to sunlight and fatty fish consumption on the
deposition of vitamin D3 in anterior adipose tissue.

Background of the study
Maternal vitamin D deficiency can have major effects on both mother and child.
Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy leads to increased bone-turnover, loss of
bone structure, osteomalacia en myopathie in the mother. A foetus accumulates
up to 30 grammes of calcium. Calcium is necessary for the formation of a strong
skeleton. Absorption of calcium takes place under the influence of vitamin D.
Therefore, vitamin D is essential for the formation of a strong skeleton. A
leak of vitamin D increases the risk on diseases like diabetes mellitus,
multiple sclerose, breast-, prostate- and colorectal cancer and schizophrenia,
for both mother and child.

Cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, under influence of sunlight, is one source of
vitamin D for the body. Vitamin D can also reach the body by food-intake: fatty
fish contains vitamin D.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is possible that vitamin D, in times of
high synthesis or intake, can be stored in adipose tissue.

The aim of this study is to determine the quantity of vitamin D3 in anterior
adipose tissue in pregnant women, and to determine the influence of exposure to
sunlight and the consumption of fatty fish on vitamin D storage in anterior
adipose tissue.

Another objective of the study is to determine whether there is correlation
between in anterior adipose tissue stored vitamin D3 and circulating
25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum.

Primairy objective
Is there deposition of vitamin D3 in anterior adipose tissue of pregnant women?

Secundairy objectives
Does exposure to sunlight influences the quantity vitamin D3 in anterior
adipose tissue of pregnant women?
Does fatty fish consumption influence the quantity vitamin D3 in anterior
adipose tissue of pregnant women?
Is there correlation between in anterior adipose tissue stored vitamin D3 and
circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D in serum?

During Ceasarian section we will be taking approximately one gram subcutaneous
anterior adipose tissue from the section to determine the quantity of vitamin
D3 in anterior adipose tissue. Fatty acid profile will be established from
anterior adipose tissue to gain information about fatty fish consumption. When
blood is drawn for clinical purpose, we will be taking one extra coagulation
tube to determine circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. The researcher will be
filling out a questionnaire, with questions concerning lifestyle and nutrition
habits and obstetric history. The gaining of information and the filling out of
the questionnaire will take approximately one hour. Participating in the study
creates no risks for woman and child.

During the Ceasarian section which the subject will undergo for reasons apart
from this study, we will be taking approximately one gram subcutaneous anterior
adipose tissue. There will not be extra inconvenience.
When blood is drawn, for clinical purpose, we will be taking one extra tube of
blood. There will not be extra inconvenience.
The researcher will be filling out a questionnaire, with questions concerning
lifestyle and nutrition habits and obstetrics history.
Participating in the study creates no risks for the woman or baby.