Abstract
Human Placental Lactogen (PL) has been proposed as the growth hormone of the last trimester of pregnancy. These studies were designed to determine the role of PL in the regulation of fetal substrate availability as reflected by changes in uterine and peripheral maternal carbohydrate metabolism. Six pregnant ewes of 90-126 days gestation were chronically prepared by placement of uterine and femoral artery electromagnetic flow transducers, bilateral uterine, jugular, and femoral vein, and unilateral femoral and cystic artery catheters. After a 4 day recovery period, baseline studies were obtained and PL was infused at a constant rate. Whole blood samples for glucose and lactate analysis were drawn at 1-4 hr. intervals. Peripheral maternal glucose uptake, and uterine lactate production were calculated by the Fick equation. A total of 34 glucose and 8 lactate studies were completed.
PL infusions did not alter maternal glucose concentrations or uterine and femoral blood flow. PL produced a 40% increase in uterine glucose uptake (p<.005), a 35% decrease in peripheral maternal glucose uptake (p<.01), but no significant change in uterine lactate production (p>.10). We conclude that PL enhances uterine glucose uptake without increased placental glucose conversion, and maternal glucose utilization is decreased. This supports the role of PL as a gestational growth hormone.
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Rapoport, P., Bolam, D., Miyazaki, Y. et al. MATERNAL ENDOCRINE CONTROL OF FETAL SUBSTRATE AVAILABILITY: HUMAN PLACENTAL LACTOGEN. Pediatr Res 11, 520 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00903
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00903
