ACE2 deficiency is associated with impaired gestational weight gain and fetal growth restriction

Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that influences the relative expression of angiotensin (Ang) II and Ang-(1–7). Although ACE2 expression increases in normal pregnancy, the impact of ACE2 deficiency in pregnancy has not been elucidated. We determined the influence of ACE2 deficiency on circulating and tissue RAS components, fetal and maternal growth characteristics, and maternal hemodynamics (mean blood pressure (MBP) and cardiac output (CO)) at day 18 of gestation. Gestational body weight gain was lower in the ACE2 knock out (KO) vs C57BL/6 (WT) mice (30.3 ± 4.7 vs 38.2 ± 1.0 g, p