LPL and hyperinsulinism: Serum triglycerides in pregnant women are increased 1.5 to 2-fold above non-pregnant concentrations by the third trimester and remain high around the clock [44], and this is attributed mainly to a combination hyperinsulinemia promoting triglyceride synthesis in the liver, increased food intake resulting in increased appearance of chylomicrons from the gut and reduced activity of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue, resulting in decreased clearance of triglycerides from the circulation [45].