1164 EFFECT OF EXTENDED MATERNAL STARVATION ON THE INTRAHEPATIC REGULATION OF METABOLISM IN NEWBORN DOGS

Abstract

Hepatic metabolic intermediates from fasted newborn pups of 6 control and eight 5-day starved pregnant mothers (MCS) were studied between 0 and 24 hrs of age. In the MCS fetus, glycogen concentrations were significantly reduced (416vs526 μ mol/g)⁺ and uridinediphosphate glucose levels increased (0.196vs0.135) suggesting diminished fetal glycogen synthesis. After birth glycogen levels diminished at the same rate in the 2 groups being 197 and 304 at 24 hrs. Hepatic glucose concentrations were reduced in the MCS pups at 3 hrs (2.90vs5.97) reaching control levels at 6 and 9 hrs, again declining at 24 hrs (3.09vs5.29). Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate concentrations after MCS were low in the fetus and throughout the 24 hrs. Tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates tended to be low after 6 hrs in the MCS group; α-ketoglutarate levels being significantly reduced at 6 and 9 hrs, malate at 9 and 24 hrs, and citrate at 24 hrs. After birth, MCS resulted in significant lowering of hepatic ATP levels while energy charge was low only at 6 and 9 hrs. In addition the cytoplasmic NAD/NADH ratio was significantly more oxidized at 3 hrs in the MCS pups. Intrahepatic ammonia concentrations were significantly elevated at 0,6,9 and 24 hrs. CONCLUSION: Extended MCS results in 1)reduced fetal glycogen synthesis or augmented fetal glycogenolysis and 2)diminished hepatic energy production after birth in spite of enhanced net hepatic glycolytic flux as a result of phosphofructokinase activation by low levels of ATP, citrate and NADH. ^*Deceased ⁺Mean

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