Abstract

L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid dependent upon the functional circumstances. Pregnancy is a condition
in which demands for L-arginine are increased because of the foetal and placental growth, increased catabolism in women
and increased production of nitric oxide for vasculature function. L-arginine defi cient-diets have been linked to poor pregnancy outcomes including foetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia. Strong evidence that supplementation
with L-arginine during pregnancy results in signifi cative reduction of new cases of pre-eclampsia is available. This makes supplementation of this amino acid a cost-effective intervention during human pregnancy. Further research is needed to test its
use in general population of pregnant women.