How pregnancy and body weight change vitamin D in the body
Impact of Pregnancy, Obesity, and Vitamin D Binding Protein on Vitamin D Kinetics
This project will look at how pregnancy, obesity, and the vitamin D binding protein affect vitamin D levels and use in pregnant adults, with attention to differences by race.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cornell University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ithaca, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369120 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to give blood samples at several points during pregnancy so researchers can measure vitamin D forms, the active hormone calcitriol, and vitamin D binding protein and genotype. The team will compare people with and without obesity and include participants of different ancestries to understand racial differences in vitamin D measures. Laboratory assays and modeling of vitamin D production, activation, storage, and clearance will be used to map changes across pregnancy. The work aims to explain why calcitriol rises in pregnancy and why vitamin D status differs with obesity and genetic differences in binding protein.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant adults aged 21 and older, especially those with obesity or of African ancestry, would be ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, are under 21, or who do not have concerns about vitamin D are unlikely to get direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help clinicians tailor vitamin D recommendations during pregnancy to better protect mothers and babies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show pregnancy raises active vitamin D and obesity is linked to lower vitamin D, but detailed kinetic measurements and the role of binding protein and genetics remain incompletely understood, so this work builds on partial prior findings.
Where this research is happening
Ithaca, United States
- Cornell University — Ithaca, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'brien, Kimberly O — Cornell University
- Study coordinator: O'brien, Kimberly O
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.