Reduced Circulating Asprosin Concentrations in Term Pregnant Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Asprosin is a fasting-induced glucogenic adipokine involved in hepatic glucose production and systemic energy homeostasis. Despite the substantial metabolic adaptations that occur during pregnancy, circulating asprosin concentrations in healthy human pregnancy remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to compare serum asprosin concentrations between term pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery and non-pregnant women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 34 term pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery and 29 non-pregnant women. Fasting venous blood samples were collected between 08:00 and 09:00, before anesthesia and cesarean delivery in the pregnant group. Serum asprosin concentrations were measured using a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic, anthropometric, and lipid parameters were evaluated. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess the association between pregnancy status and serum asprosin concentration after adjustment for age and BMI. Results: Serum asprosin concentrations were significantly lower in term pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (median (IQR): 20.54 (13.44–31.12) vs. 57.40 (35.87–98.13) ng/mL; p < 0.0001). Although the groups differed in age and body weight, BMI, height, and lipid parameters were comparable. After adjustment for age and BMI, term pregnancy remained independently associated with a lower serum asprosin concentration (B = −47.75 ng/mL, 95% CI −58.40 to −37.10; p < 0.001). Neither age nor BMI were independently associated with serum asprosin concentration. Conclusions: Circulating asprosin concentrations were significantly lower in term pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery than in non-pregnant women, independently of age and BMI. This difference may reflect metabolic and endocrine adaptations associated with term pregnancy. Larger longitudinal studies incorporating serial measurements throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period are needed to clarify the regulation and physiological relevance of asprosin during pregnancy.