Exercise intervention during pregnancy induces promoter methylation alterations in maternal blood and cord blood

Maternal blood, as well as umbilical cord blood samples, were collected and DNA methylation levels were determined by Illumina MethylationEPIC microarray. Methods: Twenty-four subjects were chosen from a previous clinical study. Overweight/obese pregnant women (body mass index ≥24kg/m2) who had an uncomplicated pregnancy at <12+6 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated to either an exercise or a control group. Patients allocated to the exercise group performed 3 exercise bouts per week (at least 30 min/session with a rating of perceived exertion between 12-14) via a cycling program that was initiated within 3 days of randomization until 37 weeks of gestation. Patients allocated to the control group continued their usual daily activities. Maternal blood, as well as umbilical cord blood samples, were collected and DNA methylation levels were determined by Illumina MethylationEPIC microarray. Bisulphite converted DNA from the 96 samples were hybridised to the Illumina MethylationEPIC microarray.